Galway communities set to benefit from changes to OPW flood defence funding
Major changes to improve the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme were announced and welcomed by Galway East TD Seán Canney.
The original scheme was introduced in 2009 to provide local authorities funding for minor flood mitigation projects and studies. Applications for projects under €750,000 could be put forward to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for approval. Approved projects were funded up to 90pc of the cost.
The improvements announced by OPW minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran include:
€1.25 million increase in the maximum funding threshold
€3 million funding envelope for local authorities to remove blockages, culverts, and crossings that increase flood risk
Provision in principle for the maintenance of capitol works
Flexibility in applications for interim works ahead of larger schemes
Almost €70 million in funding has been approved nationally supporting more than 900 projects and protecting nearly 8,000 homes from flooding and coastal erosion according to Minister Canney.
“Galway County Council have been a leading local authority in securing funding in the past and these changes will allow for further investment to ensure that even more communities can be safeguarded in the years ahead.”
Galway City Council has yet to be approved for any funding under the scheme to date however, Galway County Council has been approved for one project on Inis Bó Finne (Inishbofin) Island.
For that project, €90,000 in funding was approved for consultant costs for works to transform the East Pier into a breakwater at Clooanmore Bay and reinforce the coastline with gabion baskets.
As of August 8, 2025, the national total of approved funding is €153,138.
Minister Canney specified importance in care and preservation when dealing with removal of blockages around the county stating the necessity to “strike the right balance between protecting nature and biodiversity and ensuring that our rivers and channels can carry water safely.”
“These changes will be of real benefit to communities. With the higher threshold and new supports, further opportunities will open up to protect homes, businesses and vital infrastructure from flood and coastal risks.”