Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020

Thursday, 5 March 2020

Ceisteanna (122, 123)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional funding will be provided in 2020 to local authorities for the minor works scheme in view of increased incidents of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

123. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the schemes in counties Cavan and Monaghan that will benefit under the minor works scheme in 2020; the level of proposed expenditure on each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2931/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. All Local Authorities, including Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council, may carry out flood mitigation works, using either their own resources, or by applying for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

Under this scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €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.opw.ie.

To the end of 2019, over 580 Minor Works projects have been completed, providing local flooding solutions to over 7,100 properties with expenditure amounting to over €39m since the scheme began in 2009.  In 2019, €4.75m has been approved for 49 projects, with €4.4m having been drawn down by Local Authorities by the end of the year.

This includes funding of €500,000 approved under this scheme for Monaghan County Council to progress important flood alleviation works in Monaghan Town. These works will consist of the construction of a new culvert across the N54 and the R162 in Monaghan Town and additional flood alleviation measures for the Castle Road area which provides access to the town centre public car parks and shopping area.

A further application was submitted in February, 2020 by Monaghan County Council for a project at Drumfalda, Ballybay, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. This application is currently under consideration.

The allocation of funding for the Minor Works scheme is included in the overall allocation for flood risk management investment included under Vote 13 (Office of Public Works) in the Estimates for Public Services for 2020.

Barr
Roinn