Mayor of Galway, Mike Cubbard, has criticised the exclusion of Galway City from a new flood mitigation funding scheme, as updated timelines indicate permanent defences may not be delivered until 2033.
More than €6.5 million has been allocated by the Office of Public Works (OPW ) to eight local authorities for interim measures following Storm Chandra. Galway is not included in the allocation.
The decision comes as long-delayed flood defence works for Galway are now not expected to be completed until 2033, with construction still years away.
Under the Coirib go Cósta Galway City Flood Relief Scheme, planners say construction would not finish until mid-2033. The works include 6.5 kilometres of flood defence walls along Salthill Promenade, Claddagh Quay and in the Spanish Arch and Fish Market area.
Mr Cubbard said being left out of immediate funding while facing further delays to permanent solutions leaves communities exposed.
“Galway is being left behind again. We are excluded from funding that other areas receive quickly, while being told to wait years for permanent flood defences,” he said.
He said Galway has a long history of flooding but has not received support for temporary protection measures.
“Communities here remain exposed. There is no short-term solution and the long-term plan keeps slipping further away,” he said.
Mr Cubbard said he had invited Minister of State at the OPW, Kevin Moran, to visit Galway to see the situation on the ground, but that visit has yet to happen.
He said the situation reflects a failure of political representation and a lack of Government attention.
“This is a failure of our TDs to deliver for Galway, and our flooding issues are being ignored by Government. This is about fairness and protecting communities. Galway cannot continue to be left behind,” he said.
