Minister O'Donovan announces funding approval for Minor Flood Mitigation Works in Co. Wexford

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Mr. Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., has announced the approval of Wexford County Council’s application for funding under the Office of Public Works’ Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Under the scheme, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved funding of:

€30,742 for proposed works at Growtown Upper Barntown, Co. Wexford which include removal of the existing wall in front of the house, construction of a new solid block wall removing the pedestrian and vehicle access from the front of the property, provision of new pedestrian access from the local road above the flood line of the house, and other ancillary works.

€25,870 for proposed works at Badgers Hill, Co. Wexford which include removal of the access to the property and continue the bund/ditch already around the property passed the lowest point. Create a new entrance on the higher section of the road to prevent the risk of flooding from The Pill River.

For further information, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie

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Notes

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works in 2009. Since then, 19 funding applications by Wexford County Council have been supported under this scheme (see the Flood Risk Management website. )

The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.

Under the 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.

Works that are normally the responsibility of the local authorities will generally not be considered for OPW funding. Where such works would also mitigate the risk of flooding to properties, partial funding may be considered by OPW.

The Local Authorities must be satisfied that the works will not have a significant impact on flood risk elsewhere.

The commencement and progression of any works for which funding is approved is a matter for each Local Authority concerned.

More information, including annual lists of projects for which funding under this scheme has been approved, is available on the Flood Risk Management website.