Minister Seán Canney has welcomed tweaks to flood relief schemes but is hesitant to call for Galway city’s sea defences to be listed as ‘critical infrastructure’.
Welcoming an increase in payments to organisations affected by flood damage under the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme (EHFS ), the minister of state for roads, logistics, rail and ports said the Coirib go Cósta flood defence scheme would have to make a business case to be considered in the next round of projects fast-tracked under the new Critical Infrastructure Act.
The Galway City Ring Road is the only undertaking in the west of Ireland so far listed under the new legislation, signed into law last month, which included three transport, three water and three energy projects earmarked for accelerated decision-making and resource allocation by public bodies.
“I can think of at least three worthy projects in Galway city: the port, flood defences and the hospital – plus waste water for the Ardaun corridor – that might make the criteria to be listed in the next tranche,” the Galway East TD said. “The problem is though, is that if we put everything on that list, we’ll end up with everything under the Critical Infrastructure [Act], and we’ll be back to the beginning again.”
Canney was responding to an announcement that the EHFS for small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies affected by flooding will be extended to 2027. Payments available under the standard scheme have also been increased from €20,000 to €30,000, reflecting rising building and repair costs.
Under new arrangements, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will be able to open the EHFS until December 2027 without requiring a separate Government decision for each case of flooding.
“This decision means that when severe weather strikes, support can be made available more quickly to help people recover and reopen as soon as possible,” said Canney.
Reacting to the news, a Galway city councillor whose retail premises on Quay Street has been flooded several times, said he welcomed the upgraded scheme - administered by the Red Cross – because swiftly delivered support “will help reduce some of the mental strain waiting for help,” but Níall McNelis wants more emphasis on prevention than aid.
He noted that some organisations in Galway city, and in Clarinbridge, were still facing administrative headaches in accessing emergency funding since Storm Debi in 2023, and Storm Éowyn in 2025.
“This is a sticking plaster really. The major solution is building the flood defences we need from Salthill to Oranmore we’ve been talking about for five years, because it’s not a question of if the city will flood again, it’s when,” he said.
McNelis said he was not averse to the €80 million Corrib go Costa scheme of coastal and river defences being listed as ‘critical infrastructure’ but added that he worried that if it was: “University Hospital Galway’s redevelopment plans might not be [listed], with that designation going to University Hospital Limerick instead”.
The EHFS scheme provides funding to help restore premises to their pre-flood condition. An initial payment of up to €5,000 can be made quickly, with larger claims subject to an independent professional assessment. Following assessment, the total support available under the standard scheme will now be capped at €30,000.
The Government has also agreed, in principle, to draft legislation that will establish a permanent statutory basis for flood assistance, removing the need for repeated Government approvals to operate such relief schemes in the future.
