In 2016 the OPW appointed consultants to undertake a survey of individual properties in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo, in order to determine their suitability for floodgates as part of a pilot, and to make recommendations for each property. Mayo County Council subsequently procured a contractor to supply and install the floodgates based on the recommendations of the consultants. Gates have now been installed in approximately 100 properties in the town, at a cost of approximately €350,000.
The OPW is undertaking a study of Individual Property Protection (IPP) to look at the potential for a national scheme to protect a proportion of those properties that do not form part of the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) arising from the CFRAM study.
This study is examining the administrative arrangements for IPP schemes where they exist in other jurisdictions including Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. It also considered work undertaken for the pilot scheme in Crossmolina.
The study is highlighting the many interdependencies to ensure the effectiveness of IPP measures. Hence the introduction to individuals of financial support to incentivise them to acquire IPP products for their homes needs broader consideration in the context of these findings. The OPW is continuing to explore options for IPP having regard to the results of this study.