The money is there to deal with flooding says Minister on Sligo visit

AS another winter draws closer the Minister responsible for flood relief says he’s happy there’s enough money available to deal with the issue.

Over the past couple of winters, the country has witnessed some of the worst flooding in living memory and while Sligo escaped in 2016 the year before saw significant flooding in the county in particular in the Carraroe area and in the catchment of the Owenmore River.

“We’re in a far better place now, particularly now in the past couple of months where we’ve overspent in our budget which is the first time ever in the OPW brief and that was all money put into flooding.

“I have visited Cork and Kerry and other parts of the country and you can see the roll out of all the schemes. Sligo too has its flooding issues and what I’m saying is that there is money there for schemes and I would say to the County Councils to come in with the minor works schemes, the money is there and I’ll back it up, providing the local authority has the ten per cent.

“Now, what I’m finding is that there is a blockage in the system where they haven’t got that ten per cent to back up what I have in my pot of gold to back it up.

“I’ve changed a lot of the criteria around the minor works scheme and where local authorities have failed in the past they have got a letter in the past ten days to come back in now where they might have failed in the past.

“Flooding affects people all over the country not just in the south or in Athlone,” said the Minister.

One of the issues the Minister feels strongly about is visiting the areas affected by flooding and he intended taking in a trip to the Owenmore River catchment area during his trip to Sligo on Monday.

Again, he had praise for Deputy Tony McLoughlin and Deputy Eamon Scanlon along with Cllr Marie Casserly for their persistence in raising the issue with him.

“I like to see it on the ground, to see where the problem is and when you are talking to the local people they give you their vast experience.

“I hear it’s going on for some 40 years and that shouldn’t be the case.

“So, when Deputy McLoughlin puts in a question in the Dáil I know what I’m speaking about and I’m not giving a half winded answer to keep the people quiet. That day is gone. Politics is moving along. People want to see answers.

“In terms of the funding, it is there and I can deliver on that funding provided the local authorities can come in with the schemes.

“I met with Minister Paschal Donohoe last week and I’m looking for an extra € 40 million this year.

“It’s something that’s very much to the forefront for me and I’ll also have good news coming soon too in relation to the Shannon. What happens with the Shannon also affects the rest of the country in this regard.

“For the first time in the history of the State we have € 460 million to spend. Yes, we’re getting through it but people are suffering and the issues need to be looked into and addressed. That’s my job,” said the Minister.

And, the Minister revealed Sligo is never far from his thoughts.

“I’ve have plenty beating down my door with issues from Sligo that need addressing. I’ve a special advisor from Sligo so I have to delvier for Sligo.

“Sligo, believe it or not used to be a second home for me. I used to come down to Strandhill with my caravan and I’m still friendly with many people in Sligo. I’ve great contacts in the area.

“My private secretary in Dublin is from Sligo as well. Sligo is in my office so now I have to deliver for the people of Sligo,” said Minister Moran.