Plans have been announced to introduce an extra three flood relief schemes in County Donegal to address various issues.

The new schemes in Buncrana, Rathmelton and Ballybofey/Stranorlar will add to seven others which are already underway, as the government looks to tackle serious flooding issues across the county.

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Flood Relief, Kevin Moran TD announced the new schemes during a visit to Lifford Town this morning, 29 November.

Minister Moran said: "I am delighted to say that the OPW and Donegal County Council have now agreed to progress flood relief projects in Buncrana, Rathmelton and Ballybofey/Stranorlar and I would like to assure the people in those towns that the necessary work to engage consultants for those projects will get underway straight away.

-- Advertisement --

"The three projects added today will bring flood protection to over 120 properties in the County when completed."

Further projects in the county include two applications approved for Donegal Town and Currindale, Termon, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The works in Donegal town will consist of upgrading of walls at Castle St, cutting back of trees and vegetation on the River Eske, purchase of water rails and bunding together with the replacement of a culvert at Brookfield Bridge, Drumbar.

The Minister added: "Projects such as these show my Office's commitment to providing local authorities with the necessary funding to undertake very important local flood relief works. The Minor Works scheme has been very successful to date in facilitating the carrying out of a whole range of works and studies by local authorities in all parts of the country. These minor works in Donegal town will be of considerable benefit to the town pending the implementation of the planned full flood relief scheme for the town.

"I fully understand the stress that the threat of flooding causes and the frustration that people feel at delays in delivering measures to protect their properties. What I am announcing today shows that every effort is being made by me, the Government and Donegal County Council to progress the projects in Donegal in the quickest possible timeframe. These 10 projects represent an estimated combined investment of over €25m in flood relief in Co Donegal."

(CM/JG)