The OPW and Galway County Council set up a Joint Working Group following the recent widespread flooding in the County in order to assist the identification of measures to address localised flood problems that could be taken forward quickly. The Group identified a number of locations that they would focus on initially, including a number of locations in South Galway. Where viable, cost effective mitigation works are identified they will generally be carried out by the Council with funding from OPW but, where appropriate, OPW may itself undertake works as agent of the Council.
Galway County Council has recently submitted applications for funding for minor flood mitigation works that the Council proposes to undertake at a number of locations in 2010. These applications are currently being considered, in conjunction with applications received from other Local Authorities, having regard to specific economic and environmental eligibility criteria and the overall funding available for flood mitigation works this year. It is expected that a decision will be made shortly in relation to applications for funding received to date. The OPW understands that the Council will submit further applications in the near future.
It is not possible to say at this stage when works may commence at any particular location.