Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
36. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the level of funding provided to Cavan County Council and to Monaghan this year under the minor works drainage schemes; the proposed expenditure in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70473/25]
View answerLocal coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme are currently under review, following on from my announcement earlier this year of an increase in funding thresholds that are to be made available under the Scheme. The OPW expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria for the Scheme in the coming weeks.
The OPW did not receive, or approve any application to the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for Monaghan County Council for funding in 2025. Therefore, the OPW is not in a position to estimate what expenditure might be approved in 2026.
An amount of €312,480 was drawn-down by the Council in July of this year for a previously approved Minor Works application to construct a new box culvert across the N54 and the R162 in Monaghan Town and additional flood alleviation measures for the Castle Road area. Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €2.5m in funding for County Monaghan for some 27 projects.
The OPW received and approved a request for funding of €55,264 this year for Cavan County Council for proposed works at Pollamore, County Cavan, which includes the creation of a temporary floodplain storage area by the construction of an in-stream structure in combination with the installation of approximately 25m of engineered earthen flood embankment, as well as alterations to existing ground levels and associated ancillary works. The total amount of €55,264 was drawdown by the Council in December 2025.
The OPW has not received any further Minor Works applications for funding from the Council to date in 2025 and is therefore not in a position to estimate what expenditure might be approved in 2026. Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €518k in funding for County Cavan for some 11 projects.
