Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
199. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the status of a potential flood relief scheme for Bunclody, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9053/26]
View answerI acknowledge the devastation that flooding caused in Bunclody last week.
Local 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 (OPW) 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, and any new application under the scheme will be considered against revised criteria. The OPW expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria for the scheme shortly.
To date, the OPW has approved some €5.47m in funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to County Wexford for some 23 projects. The OPW understands that Wexford County Council is planning to prepare an application for funding to the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to address the flooding problems that have occurred in Bunclody.
