Costly fix for Laois houses hit by floods with climate change blamed as a factor

Householders in the Borris-in-Ossory area could be getting a solution to a flooding problem linked to climate change but it is not going to be cheap to fix the problem.

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, has announced the approval of Laois County Council’s application for funding under the Office of Public Works’ Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

A statement said that under the scheme, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved funding of €54,000 for proposed works, which will include the construction of an embankment around properties to prevent flood waters from entering properties.

The funding was welcomed by Laois and Offaly Ministers of State.

"This is a very welcome announcement and the works being funded will help to prevent flooding in the local area," said Minister Seán Fleming.

Green Party Minister of State said climate change is contributing to flooding.

“I welcome this news for those homeowners in Moneymore whose homes it will protect. Unfortunately with climate change, flooding is increasing as a risk factor and we need a wide number of measures, including embankments, to reduce this risk,” she said.

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The OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme provides 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 was introduced by the Office of Public Works in 2009. Since then, five funding applications by Laois County Council have been supported under this scheme. 

The biggest grant was received in 2022 when the council was given €63,000 to remove deadwood/debris and prune trees that  caused restrictions on approximately 6km of the River Nore in Laois

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.