Local authorities in areas affected by flooding are being urged to apply for the Office of Public Works’ flood relief scheme.

Councils can apply for funding for projects of up to €500,000.

The scheme aimed is at projects that mitigate and relieve the effects of future flooding.

The Minister of State for the OPW and Flood Relief Sean Canney, has said local authorities can send in their applications as soon as they’re ready: “There is no deadline, it is an ongoing scheme.

“From once they fill out the application and meet the criteria with the application usually the funding approval is given within a number of weeks.

“And the works are carried out then within a certain time as and when a local authority has an application ready, submit it to the Office of Public Works.”