The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Mr Patrick O’Donovan, has announced the approval of Tipperary County Council’s application under the Office of Public Works’ Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
Under this scheme, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved funding of €77,400 to construct a new, 315-metre-long surface water storm drain, including manholes, chambers and civils works, with outfall to existing open drain at Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works back 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. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.
Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW, having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio.
Works that are normally the responsibility of the local authorities will generally not be considered for OPW funding. Where such works would also mitigate the risk of flooding to properties, partial funding may be considered by OPW.
The Local Authorities must be satisfied that the works will not have a significant impact on flood risk elsewhere.
The commencement and progression of any works, for which funding is approved, is a matter for each Local Authority concerned.
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