More funding is being provided to local authorities to help address flooding and coastal erosion.
The funding under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, also known as the Minor Works Scheme, is being allocated in light of recent storms and serious flooding incidents, which have impacted towns and villages across the country.
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Kevin 'Boxer' Moran made the announcement in Athlone today.
"I am particularly delighted to announce that the upper financial threshold for each approved project will be increased significantly from €750,000 to €2 million," said the Minister.
He said the improvements in funding will provide greater "flexibility" to local authorities to address local flood and coastal erosion risks.
"I have seen the effects of this on communities firsthand and I am aware of the range of issues facing local authorities to reduce local flood risk and coastal erosion risk both before and after such events," said Minister Moran.
"This will allow for an increase in the scale of works projects encompassed by the scheme, which includes nature-based solutions," he continued.
Funding will also be made available under the scheme for approved projects to remove river conveyance blockages.
An example of this is Killybegs in Co Donegal, where a flood devastated homes and businesses in November.
The flooding was caused by a fallen tree during a storm, which was obstructing the flow of a nearby river.
"An additional funding envelope of €3 million is earmarked and will be made available for such works," said Minister Moran.
The OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme has been in place since 2009.
It provides funding to local authorities to carry out localised flood relief and coastal erosion protection works.
Local authorities must also contribute funding to each project.
The scheme aims to mitigate flood risk to communities and also provides a funding mechanism for local authorities to deal with local coastal erosion issues that are impacting communities.
The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.
The works to be funded are carried out under local authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the local authority.
Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme.
The Minor Works Scheme has been revised with the aim of improving the range of supports available to local authorities through the scheme.
"Since the scheme was introduced over €69 million in funding has been approved for local authorities in respect of over 900 projects to protect an estimated 7,900 homes from flooding and coastal erosion," said Minister Moran.
The OPW will be sending out further details of the revisions to the Scheme to local authorities over the coming weeks.
