AN ALLOCATION of €6.7 million to local authorities to deal with flooding and coastal erosion was announced yesterday by Minister of State at the Office of Public Works Martin Mansergh.
He said that the figure compared to €2.1 million last year, and would be “reviewed in the light of the level of applications received from local authorities”.
Dr Mansergh said that following the unprecedented flooding throughout the State late last year, the Government had provided additional funding to the OPW for flood mitigation measures.
Dr Mansergh said that based on OPW assessments €5.43 million had been allocated to 12 local authorities to address flooding problems in 52 areas. Allocations totalling €1.27 million were being made to six local authorities for minor coastal flooding and erosion measures at eight locations.
“These allocations will allow the local authorities to proceed with these measures now to reduce the level of risk in the communities involved,” he added.
Dr Mansergh said the applications process is continuing and that local authorities meeting eligibility criteria would be considered having regard to the overall resources available.
