Minister Moran announces an increase in funding supports available to Local Authorities under the OPW Minor Works Scheme

The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, TD is pleased to announce an increase in the funding supports available to local authorities through the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (the Minor Works Scheme). The OPW Minor Works Scheme provides funding to local authorities to carry out localised flood relief and coastal erosion protection works.

Speaking today, the Minister said, “Everyone will, no doubt, recall the serious flooding and coastal erosion experienced following the many storms in recent times. I have seen the effects of this on communities first hand 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. The improvements to this Scheme that I am announcing today will provide greater flexibility to local authorities to address local flood and coastal erosion risks.”

Minister Moran continued, “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. This will allow for an increase in the scale of works projects encompassed by the Scheme, which includes nature based solutions.

I also want to emphasise that I am making funding available under the Scheme for approved projects to remove river conveyance blockages. This is for where such blockages (e.g. at river crossings, bridges or culverts) are causing increased river flood risks to properties and proposed works are compatible with environmental policies and planning requirements. An additional funding envelope of €3m is earmarked and will be made available for such works.”

The Minister went on to say, “The Scheme has been very successful to date in facilitating the carrying out of a whole range of works and studies by local authorities throughout the country. 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.”

Minister Moran concluded, “The success of this Scheme reflects the very valuable work being carried out by the local authorities in helping to address localised flooding and coastal erosion problems throughout the country. I am pleased to approve these additional supports to local authorities for this important work. The OPW will be sending out further details of the revisions to the Scheme to Local Authorities over the coming weeks and will work closely with Local Authorities on implementation of the revisions.”

Notes to Editors:

Background:

The OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (the Minor Works Scheme), which has been in place since 2009, is a key part of the state’s response to manage flood and coastal change risk.

The OPW Minor Works Scheme 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, coupled with the major programme of flood relief works, 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.

Key changes being introduced include:

• An increase in the funding threshold per discrete project from €750,000 to €2 million
• A funding envelope of €3 million earmarked for projects to support Local Authorities to remove conveyance blockages in rivers that pose a flood risk to properties.
• Provision for maintenance of capital works funded under the Scheme going forward is approved in principle. The details are to be agreed with Local Authorities.
• Applications for certain other measures that Local Authorities may wish to progress will be considered under the Minor Works Scheme i.e. Interim Measures ahead of main flood relief scheme delivery or Individual Property Protection measures. These will be assessed on a case by case basis having regard to their compatibility with the main scheme, where applicable.