Councils yet to draw down most of €19m flood funds

Two-thirds of the Government’s €19m flood support funding pot specifically set aside to boost defenses in the wake of the worst storms in a century have yet to be drawn down by local authorities.

The slow-paced attempts to protect vulnerable communities after the January 2014 storms ravaged the country was revealed by officials tasked with overseeing the funding yesterday.

Speaking at the latest meeting of the cross-party Dáil public account committee, Office of Public Works chairwoman Clare McGrath said in the immediate aftermath of last year’s weather crisis – which saw the worst storms in 143 years – the Coalition set aside €69.5m to help those in need.