‘Constant challenges for our coastal and rural communities across Donegal’

Since the OPW Minor Works Scheme was brought in, €70 million has been approved for 930 local authority-led projects

Published 26th May 2026, 11:11 BST The €200,000 OPW funding was allocated to alleviate localised flooding | File Since the OPW Minor Works Scheme was brought in, €70 million has been approved for 930 local authority-led projects Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.

Donegal County Council has been allocated €200,000 through a one-off national funding package to address localised flooding.

The allocation of a once-off €3 million fund to assist local authorities in removing river conveyance blockages was announced by Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works.

The announcement follows the minister's February visit to flood-affected areas in Donegal, where he visited Ards, Derrybeg, Inver and Pettigo and met with local communities impacted by severe flooding.

“The Minister saw first-hand the impact flooding has had on communities across Donegal and this funding, together with the revised scheme measures, will help support essential flood prevention and protection works,” Fianna Fáil TD, Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher said.

The funding can be used to remove river conveyance blockages at locations such as bridges, culverts, and river crossings where restrictions pose an immediate flood risk to properties and communities.

“Flooding and coastal erosion present constant challenges for our coastal and rural communities across Donegal,” Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue said. “This targeted funding will allow Donegal County Council to take immediate, proactive action to clear critical river blockages and improve water flow, significantly reducing the risk of sudden flooding in high-risk areas.”

Read More Request made for Donegal County Council to support research study into DCB scheme Council to write to Minister over concerns EU laws will affect cross-border transport Debate between councillors over Buncrana Leisure Centre project Donegal County Council to pilot project to combat retail closures The OPW Minor Works Scheme has been available since 2009 and is part of the Government’s response to managing flood risk. The purpose of the demand-led scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works, or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

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Since its introduction in 2009, €70 million has been approved under the scheme for 930 local authority-led projects that are delivering flood mitigation and coastal protection for some 8,000 properties.

The OPW will be writing to the local authorities with the details of the scheme, and the supporting documentation will be available on the OPW website in the coming days.

Related topics: Donegal County Council OPW Flooding Donegal Charlie McConalogue Pat the Cope Gallagher Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.