The Government has announced details of a voluntary relocation scheme for people whose homes were flooded between December 2015 and mid-January 2016 and who are at risk of flooding again in the future.

The Cabinet was briefed on the scheme this morning by Minister for State at the Office of Public Works, Sean Canney, who said further funding would be provided in budgets for next year and the year after.

The Tuam based TD says that homes in turlough areas that flooded after these dates will also be considered under the scheme.

Homeowners can register their interest in applying for the scheme with the OPW.

The OPW will also identify qualifying homeowners with assistance from local authorities and will begin to contact them directly in the coming weeks.

The average relocation grant paid out by the OPW is expected to be in the region of €200,000. Grants will only be paid where alternative flood protection or mitigation measures are not available.

Homeowners will have to agree to leave their existing homes to qualify for the grants.

An initial €2m will be provided this year and those interested are asked to contact the OPW by July 28^th.

Minister Sean Canney says this scheme will provide comfort for people for which there are no other engineering solutions.