Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015
233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to provide funding in respect of a submission by Galway County Council to the Office of Public Works in respect of flood relief works required to a road (details supplied) in County Galway; if this funding be made available as a matter of urgency, given the road's susceptibility to flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40451/15]
View answerI am advised that this appears to be a matter related to the flooding of a road, and therefore may not be appropriate for the Office of Public Works (OPW). It may be a matter for Galway County Council to address as part of its ongoing road maintenance and improvement programme or the Department of Transport as appropriate.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for Local Authorities to investigate and address. They may carry out flood mitigation or coastal protection works using their own resources. In certain circumstances local authorities also apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, the details of the scheme are available at http://www.opw.ie/en/floodriskmanagement/operations/minorfloodworkscoastalprotectionscheme/. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.
The OPW has not received an application, as above, to date for funding with regard to the location mentioned in the Question by the Deputy.
