Repairing the damage caused by recent flooding in Co Wexford is set to cost at least €3.6 million, according to the Director of Services at Wexford County Council.
Eamon Hore said the €3.6m is a preliminary estimate and as the water recedes and more investigations are carried out, he expects that figure to rise.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he described the damage as "hugely significant" said his heart goes out to the people affected with over 100 properties damaged.
Heavy rainfall on Christmas Day saw much of the southeast of the country hit by severe flooding.
More than of 90mm of rain fell over Co Wexford in less than 24 hours - more than would fall in an average month.
People in the village of Bridgetown were cut off by flood waters, while some homes had to be evacuated.
A bridge collapsed at Wilton Bree and another bridge at Kilcarbry in Enniscorthy was "severely damaged".
Mr Hore said seven bridges were "washed away" and up to another 40 damaged to some extent while, in total, 50,000 sq metres of road surface was destroyed.
He said the pandemic is having an impact as some people are out of work and appealed for people to be patient as it will take longer than expected for repairs to be carried out.
Mr Hore said that around 46 households have applied for financial support after their homes were damaged in the floods.
He added that there have been terrible weather events in Wexford and other parts of Ireland in recent years and there needs to be consideration for the future with regard to flood defences.
He said a very good flood defence scheme has been designed and planned for Enniscorthy but "unfortunately it has been held up through statutory processes".
"Hopefully this further event will help speed that up ... Enniscorthy regularly floods and that needs to be done as a matter of urgency."
