€16m has been secured for future flood relief efforts in region
THERE was a Christmas present with a difference for the coastal areas in Louth and East Meath as the government announced funding of over €16m for flood relief work in the area.
Some 240 homes in Drogheda and East Meath will benefit from the works, which will cost €16.8m.
This work will include hard defences in Ardee and Baltray, hard defences, channel conveyance and flow diversion in Drogheda, hard defences in Annagassan and improved channel conveyance in Termonfeckin.
Funding has also been allocated for work in Dundalk, Blackrock South, Carlingford and Greenore. The news has been widely welcomed locally. The money was announced as part of the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme will greatly benefit county Louth into the future, a Fine Gael TD has said.
Welcoming the announcement, Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd said: ‘This funding for Louth is a part of the largest flood risk management programme ever undertaken by the State. Over €80 million will be directed to combat flooding in county Louth that will have a direct impact on 2,273 homes.
‘I know that this funding will make a big difference to people’s lives. Flooding can have a devastating effect on our communities.’
The Office of Public Works and Flood Relief has consulted with communities in Louth to ensure their views and concerns in relation to flood risk are taken on board.
The process involved five public consultation days held on the Flood maps in early 2015 in Louth.
Another five public consultation days were held on the potential risk mitigation measures in early 2016 and two further public consultation days were held on the planning aspect late last year.
‘I want to thank Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Boxer Moran for his hard work on this project. He and I have been in close contact in this issue, our last meeting being less than two weeks ago,’ said Deputy O’Dowd.
The news has also been welcomed by Independent local Councillor Kevin Callan who said he was delighted to be notified of the substantial flood relief funding following representations to the Minister for Public Works Kevin Boxer Moran.This matter of flood relief was brought to Cabinet by my independent colleague Kevin Moran this morning who has briefed me on his proposals to spend over €260 Million across the country on flood defence works to protect over 8,000 properties which the OPW has identified as being at risk of coastal or river flooding.
‘The Minister has committed to me that €80.78 Million funding which he will be allocating to protect 2,273 properties in County Louth and East Meath,’ he said.