Grant awarded in wake of Gort flooding

THE Minister of State in charge of the Office of Public Works has allocated €36,000 for channel maintenance and a camera survey on Gort’s Crowe Street. The area was the scene of extensive flooding in late November.

Dr Martin Mansergh, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), announced the grant under the first phase of funding being made available by the OPW to local authorities in 2010, for minor works and studies to address localised flood and coastal erosion problems.
Dr Mansergh said, “Following the unprecedented flooding around the country late last year, the Government provided additional funding to the OPW for flood mitigation measures. This has enabled my office to increase the total amount that can be provided to local authorities for minor works and studies. An initial allocation of €6.7 million has been made for these purposes, compared to total allocations of €2.1 million in 2009. The figure of €6.7 million will be reviewed in the light of the level of applications received from local authorities.”
The minister stated that “based on assessments completed by OPW of applications received from local authorities to date, we have at this stage allocated €5.43 million to 12 local authorities for measures to address localised flooding problems in 52 inland areas. In addition, allocations totalling €1.27 million are being made to six local authorities for minor coastal flooding and erosion measures, at eight locations around the country. These allocations will allow the local authorities to proceed with these measures now to reduce the level of risk in the communities involved. The application assessment process is continuing, and OPW officials are liaising with a number of local authorities regarding applications in respect of which additional information is required.”
The minister said that it would be open to local authorities to submit further applications under this scheme during the year, and all applications that meet the relevant eligibility criteria would be considered having regard to the overall resources available.
The minister emphasised that “the Minor Flood Relief and Coastal Protection Programme that we introduced last year is an important element in the OPW’s strategy for reducing and mitigating flood risks throughout the country”.
Areas of Ballinasloe and Loughrea were also allocated funding under the scheme.