Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Deputy Brendan Smith has said that improvements to the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme are due imminently following sustained engagement with colleagues across Government on the issue.
He raised this through direct correspondence with the Minister for Public Expenditure in mid-December regarding the operation and concerns around the criteria of the scheme.
In response at that time, the Minister advised that the scheme was under review, that there would be an increase in funding, and that local authorities would be informed of the outcome over the coming weeks.
Deputy Brendan Smith said that, through his ongoing engagement with local authorities in Cavan and Monaghan, it had become clear that significant difficulties existed in meeting certain eligibility criteria required to draw down funding under the scheme, and expressed his dismay at this.
“Local authorities have repeatedly highlighted to me that the criteria attached to the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme made it extremely challenging to access funding, even where there was a clear and persistent flooding issue,” he said.
“This was a particular problem in rural areas, where smaller-scale projects are urgently needed but often struggle to meet rigid thresholds.
He added that rural communities such as communities across his own constituency should not be disadvantaged simply because of their size.
“I am very conscious that flooding can cause enormous hardship and suffering for household, businesses and farms and in many instances remedial works are urgently needed.
“Just because there are smaller numbers of people in rural communities who are constantly affected by flooding does not mean they should continue to be disadvantaged,” Deputy Brendan Smith stated. “Those families and communities are just as entitled to modern construction standards and effective flood mitigation works as anyone else.
Deputy Smith confirmed that today he received correspondence from Minister ‘Boxer’ Moran, advising that the Office of Public Works is finalising the details of revisions to the scheme. The Minister indicated that local authorities could expect to be advised of the revised criteria, including the €3 million fund for the removal of river conveyance blockages, over the coming weeks.
Welcoming this development, Deputy Smith said:
“I very much welcome this confirmation from the Minister. The revision of the scheme and the inclusion of the €3 million fund for the removal of river conveyance blockages have the potential to make a real and practical difference on the ground. I look forward to local authorities being formally advised of the revised criteria and to seeing-overdue flood mitigation works progressing in communities that need them most,” he concluded.
