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

I thank the Minister of State for the update and his recent visit to the town. Progress on this scheme is always welcome. The Minister of State, though, will also appreciate that residents and proprietors are anxious to know when they will start to see physical work starting on the ground. All flood events can have a large impact on households and businesses, including through damage to structures and destroyed stocks. The social effect can also be very demoralising for communities. The risk of repeated flooding only increases these negative results. Bantry is an amazing town, with a thriving commercial and tourism sector. The Friday market attracts people from all over west Cork and beyond. The flood relief scheme will therefore bring much-needed certainty that will see the town go from strength to strength.

As we all know from the flooding in December, the remedial flood relief works carried out by Cork County Council did prevent further flooding in parts of Bantry. Additional funding for further remedial measures would therefore make a great difference. It would be great to get a timeline for when these things will take place.

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