Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan, has welcomed the allocation of €698,750 to Louth County Council to support interim flood protection works following the impact of Storm Chandra earlier this year.
The funding follows a recent meeting between Deputy McGreehan and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, where she pressed the need for short term flood defence measures after engaging with residents along the Louth coastline, from North Louth to Baltray.
Commenting on the announcement, Deputy McGreehan said:
“This funding will be vital for Louth and our coastal communities as we prepare for next winter. It provides the resources needed to begin putting interim defences in place.
“While many long-term projects are in the pipeline, short term measures are essential. We cannot afford to wait for another event like Storm Chandra. Significant funding has been committed to address flooding and coastal erosion, but these projects are at different stages of development.
“In the long term, these works will be hugely beneficial, but there is an immediate need for practical measures that can be delivered now.
“This financial support from Government will help get that work underway, and I will continue to support the local authority in the months ahead to ensure communities across Louth receive the protection they need.”
The once-off funding has been allocated in direct response to Storm Chandra. The Minister said the measures being progressed will demonstrate how local authorities can take a proactive approach to interim flood protection, including through the Office of Public Works Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
He also confirmed that details will shortly be announced to increase the funding threshold for this scheme from €750,000 to €2 million, allowing local authorities to better plan and deliver targeted flood protection measures in their areas.
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
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Pictured: Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and Erin McGreehan TD
