The issue of flooding in Thurles and in the villages of Ballylooby, Burncourt and Ballyporeen during Sunday’s weather incident was raised in the Dáil yesterday by Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath. The TD asked if extra emergency funding could be provided to county Tipperary as the council’s 2022 maintenance budget is now depleted. Deputy McGrath asked that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage would make additional funding available to Tipperary – The Taoiseach responded that there is a flooding scheme in terms of supports that can be applied for and made available. Micheal Martin committed to engaging with the Housing Minister.
Councillors in Thurles MD have been informed that the council staff are implementing the initial phases of a Response Plan for Friar Street to manage any potential flooding resulting from the current Status Yellow warning. Road gullies are being checked, businesses and homes are being called to and sand bags provided. Councillors have been assured that crews will remain on alert during the upcoming event and implement a road closure as required.
A meeting with Irish Water yesterday only yielded the promise of work to design an upgrade for the Thurles system which has a combined waste water and sewage system in several parts of town. This design is expected to be completed next year and then a further meeting will be held between Irish Water and Tipperary County Council.
