Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
202. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total expenditure on the minor flood mitigation works scheme in 2025; the funding allocated for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9102/26]
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 (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 OPW expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria and details for the scheme shortly, including an increase in the funding limits for each project from €750,000 to €2m.
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.
In 2025, the OPW approved €1.8m in funding under the scheme for some 27 projects and the local authorities drawdown in 2025, for projects approved under the scheme was €1.87m.
The OPW has approved, to date, a further €107,708 in funding under this demand led scheme for 2026.
