Flooding and heritage are focus for OPW
More money for flood relief works will be the focus of Independent Alliance and OPW Minister Sean Canney. He expects the budget to rise from around €50m this year to €70m for 2017.
From 2018, around €100m a year will be spent. He is confident that the necessary funding will be made available.
"I have the backing of the Taoiseach and the entire Cabinet because flooding is up there with housing and health. I'm confident there will be no cuts," Mr Canney said.
The OPW is also looking at a relocation scheme for homeowners living in areas that are repeatedly hit by flooding. The last scheme in 2009 cost some €3.5m.
Extra money will also be sought for heritage sites, including an upgrade of the interpretative centre at the Céide Fields in Mayo, the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world.
Irish Independent
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