Half-Million Boost for Wexford Coastal Defences

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved funding of just over €500,000 for coastal protection works at Cahore in Wexford.

The grant of €500,362, awarded under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, will be used to strengthen and enhance existing rock armour defences that are currently deemed inadequate.

The scheme, introduced in 2009, provides funding to local authorities for small-scale projects aimed at tackling localised flooding and coastal erosion, with a maximum project cost of €750,000. Up to 90 per cent of costs can be covered for projects that meet the scheme’s economic, social and environmental criteria.

Since its introduction, 24 Wexford County Council applications have been supported, according to the OPW. Works funded under the scheme must be designed to avoid increasing flood risk in other areas.

The OPW stressed that the commencement and management of the works will be the responsibility of Wexford County Council.

More details on the scheme, including annual lists of approved projects, are available at floodinfo.ie.