Temporary flood defences for homes in Mountmellick and surrounding areas are to be subsidised by Laois County Council.
Director of services Kieran Kehoe told the recent meeting of Laois County Council that they had identified two types of barrier/flood gates as short to interim solutions.
These items were then assessed on their suitability before a model was chosen.
Each one will cost €600.
In total, 100 such flood defences will be required. This will bring to €60,000, the cost of the defence gates.
Laois County Council will part fund these defences up to 50 per cent.
Welcoming the €3.1 million pilot flood defence scheme for Mountmellick recently announced by the OPW, Cllr Seamus McDonald noted that 5 or 6 houses were destroyed in the Cloncannon area, outside of Mountmellick.
Elderly
It would be very important to have the flood defence systems available to the elderly, Cllr James Kelly said.
“The ease of usability,” would be important for these elderly people as is the removability of the items, he said.
“I know you have get the best options, so well done on that,” he said.
Mr Kehoe said they had recorded all the houses that suffered flooding, and these will be offered the defence systems.
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