A Louth TD has been informed that total of €154.1 million hasbeen committed to flood relief and coastal protection projects across Louth,but interim measures are urgently required while major flood defence projectsprogress.
Deputy Erin McGreehan raised the issue with the Ministerresponsible for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, during ameeting of the Oireachtas Finance Committee last week.
She was advised that while significant progress is being madeon a number of flood relief schemes, interim measures are necessary and localauthorities should engage directly with the Department to advance them.
Speaking after the meeting Deputy McGreehan said:
“Coastal erosion and flooding are impacting commuters rightacross the county from North Louth as far as Baltray in South Louth. Ithas reached a point where livelihoods are being seriously affected throughresidential flooding, as well as flooding in prime agriculture areas.
“Significant funding has been committed to projects acrossthe county to reduce the impact of flooding and coastal erosion, but theseworks are at different stages of development.
“What communities need now are interim measures to bridge thegap between immediate risk and the completion of long term solutions.”
The Minister confirmed that €154.1 million in investment hasbeen committed for County Louth with flood relief works in Ardee, Drogheda andCarlingford progressing at various stages, and pressed for the need for interimflood defence measures to be taken.
The Minister further encouraged Louth County Council toengage with the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public ServiceReform and Digitalisation to develop interim schemes that can protect homes,businesses and prime agricultural areas while permanent works arecompleted.
“Each flood event affects areas differently and interimsupports must be tailored to local conditions. The only way to get thesemeasures in place is through direct engagement with the Department so thatappropriate supports can be designed and implemented for the areas that needthem most.”
“A priority of mine is the maintenance of rivers and thecatchment. With the increased level of rainfall, it is causing very high levelsof flooding mainly on agricultural land. Whilst not all of this flooding ispreventable, with the adequate maintenance and management of rivers isessential.”
Deputy McGreehan confirmed that she will be engaging withLouth County Council in the coming months to ensure active engagement with theDepartment to progress the implementation of interim flood protection measures.
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