Construction on the flood relief scheme for Templemore will not begin until at least next year.
The million Euro scheme was due to start during the summer but changes to the plans mean that it has to go back on public display which is expected to happen early next year.
The OPW Minister Simon Harris has told the Dail that the project is a priority for his Department and has committed to work beginning as soon as possible.
Plans first went on public display in 2009 and again earlier this year but further alterations mean that a public consultation period has to be done again.
The scheme includes the construction of a new bypass channel, along with road and property – access bridges, flood defence walls, embankments and some channel widening downstream of the town itself.
Flooding has been an ongoing problem in the area since the 1960's, particularly in the Blackcastle area of the town.
Funding was secured earlier this year and construction was scheduled to start in August, but never materialised the project will cost €8.9 million.
Junior Minister Simon Harris, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works says that changes to the plans regarding the bypass channel mean that it now has to go back to the public display stage.
Local TD Noel Coonan is concerned that after the public consultation period next year, consent for the work must then be sought from the Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin.
