Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the criteria attaching to the devolved works flood prevention scheme operated by local authorities and funded by the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12668/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009 to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works & coastal protection measures or studies within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.

Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost up to €500,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects, with the balance being funded by the local authority concerned. Local authorities submit funding applications in the prescribed format, which are then assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific technical, economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit assessment. With regard to the latter, proposals must meet a minimum benefit to cost ratio of 1.5:1 in order to qualify. Full details are available on www.opw.ie.