Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
417. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the timeline to publish the terms and conditions following the announcement of the increase in funding supports available to local authorities under the OPW minor works scheme in August 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3458/26]
View answerLocalised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and a Local Authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.
Local Authorities may apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding for flood mitigation and coastal protection works under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. 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.
Since its introduction in 2009, some €70 million has been approved under the Scheme for some 930 Local Authority led projects that are delivering flood mitigation and coastal protection for some 8,000 properties.
On 21st August 2025, I announced that an increase in funding supports are to be made available to Local Authorities under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, including an increase in the upper threshold of funding from €750,000 to €2,000,000. The OPW is currently finalising details of the revisions to the Scheme, and expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria for the Scheme shortly.
