On 2 July 2026, Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), announced the completion of the €3.8 million River Wad – Phase 1B Flood Relief Scheme.

Delivered in partnership by the OPW and Dublin City Council (DCC), the project safeguards properties from Clanmoyle Road to the outfall at the end of Clontarf Promenade.

Minister Moran said: "I am delighted to announce the completion of the River Wad – Phase 1B Flood Relief Scheme which together with Phase 1A are now protecting a total of 112 properties at a combined cost of €9.4 million. It also forms part of a group of 57 completed flood relief schemes that are protecting over 13,640 properties nationwide. I wish to acknowledge the support from the local community that was valuable to inform the design of a scheme for this section of the River Wad, which is protecting some 60 properties at risk from flooding. This phase will also help mitigate against the flooding that occurred in this area in August 2023."

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The River Wad programme followed significant flooding in 2008 and 2009, which prompted a full catchment study and a decision to advance relief works in three phases. Phase 1A was completed in 2015. In 2020, DCC, with OPW funding, appointed engineering and environmental consultants to design Phase 1B of the scheme.

Phase 1B was designed by Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd. Construction was delivered under two contracts by Triur Construction Ltd (appointed in July 2024) and Ward & Burke Construction Ltd (appointed in August 2025), with overall completion achieved in March 2026.

The works comprised a new tunnel under Howth Road and an upgraded outfall at the Clontarf seafront to increase capacity and resilience during heavy rainfall and tidal events.

Minister Moran also highlighted wider investment, noting that approximately €228 million is being invested in flood risk management schemes across Dublin city and county. The River Wad – Phase 1B Flood Relief Scheme is one of sixteen schemes either completed or in development locally.

The project aligns with the Government's strategy under Project Ireland 2040 and is funded through the National Development Plan 2021–2030, which allocates €1.3 billion for flood relief to deliver future‑proofed, adaptable schemes.

Alongside major schemes, the OPW has approved approximately €4.8 million for County Dublin under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, supporting localised interventions at 26 additional locations.