Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of this demand-driven scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Since 2009, the OPW has approved €66 million across some 900 unique local flood relief projects that protect some 7,900 properties through this scheme.

Applications for funding from local authorities are considered for flood relief and erosion-protection measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost-benefit ratio, and to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on the OPW’s flood information website, www.floodinfo.ie.

A review of the scheme to ensure that it continues to support the local authorities in their work to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection issues is under way and will be finalised shortly. The OPW welcomes applications for funding under this scheme and is happy to engage with local authorities in this regard. Funding approved under this scheme to local authorities in the years requested is as follows.

In 2022, funding of €2.9 million was approved for 26 projects, in 2023, funding of €3.3 million was provided for 24 projects and up to 4 July this year, funding of €1.8 million has been provided for 13 projects. To go back to the review and the core point the Deputy makes, a review of the administrative arrangements for the scheme was completed in June 2017. A further review of the scheme to ensure that it can continue to support the local authorities in their work to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection issues has been under way and will be finalised shortly. I am looking at this at the moment and at the work my officials have done and am giving consideration to updating the scheme.

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