Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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174. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works can prioritise works adjacent to Kildysart graveyard, County Clare, to stop the burial ground being flooded by the Shannon river tidal waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23786/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Local flooding is a matter in the first instance for each local authority to investigate and address.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the 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. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified in a short time frame.

Under the Scheme, applications for funding are considered for flood relief and coastal 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 having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.floodinfo.ie.

Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €3.8 million to County Clare for some 41 projects.

It is open to Clare County Council to make an application for funding under this scheme for this location and the OPW is happy to engage with Clare County Council in this regard on the matter.