Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
112. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when funding will be made available for approved projects to remove river conveyance blockages (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10863/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocalised 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. In general, the responsibility for all watercourses outside of the remit of both the Local Authority and the OPW is the riparian owner concerned. Riparian owners have an important role in ensuring that watercourses crossing their lands are managed and free flowing. A guide to the rights and responsibilities of riparian owners is available at:
https://static-floodinfo.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static/floodmaps/docs/riparian-guide-january-2020.pdf
Local Authorities may apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation 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 900 local authority led projects that are delivering flood mitigation and coastal protection for some 8,000 properties.
On 21st August 2025, I announced an increase in funding supports are to be made available to Local Authorities under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. I also announced €3m in funding is to be made available to Local Authorities for approved projects to remove river conveyance blockages, which are causing an increase in flood risk from rivers to properties.
The OPW is finalising the details of these revisions and I expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria for the Scheme, including the €3m fund for the removal of river conveyance blockages shortly.
