The OPW Minister believes that the cost of the Athlone flood defence works are worth it in order to protect homes and businesses.
Minister Kevin Boxer Moran commented on the local works following a Journal Investigates report today that shows the OPW spent 13 million euro on the design and consultation works for Cork's flood defence plan despite the fact that shovels have not hit the ground yet.
The Athlone works, which have caused a considerable amount of disruption to traffic in the town, are designed to protect the urban area from flooding once complete.
The scheme contains eight separate flood defence cells across the town and was originally estimated to cost 6 million euro when it began in 2017.
That price has now grown to an estimated 27 million euro due to delays from Covid and changes and expansions of the plans.
Longford Westmeath TD Kevin Boxer Moran says that finished works will ensure the safety of people, homes and businesses and will be worth the costs.
