Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State mentioned that there are several schemes in west Cork that are at a more advanced stage, namely, Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen. In response to parliamentary questions that I submitted, the Minister of State noted that these schemes have been substantially completed, except for outstanding issues in respect of the Cork Road and Rossa Road in Skibbereen and the issues with the fish pass in Bandon.

The residents with homes in those areas that are now protected by flood defences need access to insurance and mortgages but cannot do so in many cases because the schemes are not officially recorded as complete. That has been a major impediment for them. I know that flood insurance is an entirely different issue, but I ask the Minister of State to look into the steps required to ensure each of the programmes or schemes can be signed off and completed as soon as possible so that people can acquire flood insurance, mortgages and planning for extensions. People across west Cork are being held back in that regard.

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