Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

It is open to the local authority to apply to the OPW for 90% funding for localised flood mitigation works up to €750,000 through the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. This money is available through the minor works scheme for which the local authority can apply. I, like Deputy Cleere, am sometimes frustrated by the delay in delivering the scheme, but from when you announce the scheme to delivering it, you are looking at 11 years. While I would love to be able to speed up that process, I am constrained by the planning rules and regulations. We have to work closely with all the agencies to deliver on the scheme as well as work closely with the local authorities. In fairness, in terms of the report I outlined, a lot of work is being done in Kilkenny and Carlow. There is a huge amount of delivery of schemes. While it is slow, it is progressing. I will visit the area because I gave a commitment that I would. I will do that in due course.

See this speech in context