Galway’s coastal repair allocation is a fraction of its nearest neighbours

A Government allocation of just over €1.1 million for short-term coastal repair works in Co Galway this week has been described as “disappointing” in the context of €8.2m and €4.2m allocations for counties Clare and Mayo.

On Tuesday, Minister of State Brian Hayes announced the €1,144,800 in funding for Galway County Council to carry out coastal protection and flood defence works as part of a national funding allocation of €19.6m.

But, considering the extent of the damage caused to coastal and island communities in Co Galway, Deputy Eamon O Cuiv (FF) has called on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to clarify why the funding for Co Galway appears to be well short of that received by the neighbouring counties.

“The damage caused in Co Galway would seem to be much greater than the amount covered by this allocation,” Deputy O Cuiv told the Connacht Tribune.

“I would suggest that all of that €1.1 million could be used up in Inis Mór, Inis Meain, and Inis Bofin. At first glance, the allocation for Co Galway seems very small. There is an argument for coastal protection works to be carried out across Connemara and the islands.”

Other counties to benefit from this week’s announcement included Kerry (€1,226,920), Cork (€1,057,000), Wexford (€1,277,000), and Waterford (€,150,000).

The Government announced the €19.6m in funding on February 11 last – but only gave the county-by-county breakdown this week.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune