Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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To deliver the proposed measures set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans for County Louth, Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed. The funding for these schemes has been allocated under the €1.3bn investment in flood relief under the National Development Plan to 2030.

The development of flood relief schemes, overseen by project Steering Groups with representatives meeting monthly from the OPW and Louth County Council, involves five distinct, sequential and related stages. Aligned to the decision gateways of the Public Spending Code these are assessing the flood risk and identifying options; seeking planning consent, detailed design, construction and maintenance. Public consultation forms part of each stage and project websites, available on floodinfo.ie provides updates on each scheme’s progress.

The Dundalk/Blackrock South and Ardee projects are being progressed simultaneously and engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020. The proposed scheme will protect some 1,880 properties when completed. The scheme option for Dundalk/Blackrock South is expected in Q2 2024 and Ardee is currently at options development.

Consultants for the Drogheda and Baltray schemes were appointed in September 2021. The proposed scheme will protect some 425 properties when completed. The scheme option is expected by the end of Q4 2024.

Consideration is being given as to how best to progress the Carlingford and Greenore schemes and the OPW will continue to liaise with Louth County Council.

While the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme investigated possible structural flood relief measures for both Annagassan and Termonfeckin, economically viable schemes for these communities were not identified. The OPW is reviewing the flood risk in these communities.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline plans by the OPW to provide for flood relief works in County Cork in light of the recent catastrophic flooding there; and if he will provide an update on flood relief works continuing and planned for County Clare. [46932/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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On Thursday last An Taoiseach and I visited some of the affected areas, to see at first hand the devastating impact of the aftermath of the flooding following Storm Babet.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk – was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. The delivery of these Plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan 2021–2030.

To date, 53 schemes have been completed which are providing protection to over 12,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion. Completed schemes include Bandon, Douglas, Clonakilty Fermoy and Ennis.

The Plans also identified an additional 150 flood relief schemes which in relation to those currently underway in County Cork are as follows. The schemes for Ballymakeera, Ballinhassig are at outline design Stage. Midleton, Bantry and Lower Lee are at Stage one which comprises Scheme Development and Preliminary Design and the scheme for Blackpool at Stage two, planning. Morrison’s Island is at detailed design stage and the Glashaboy scheme is at Stage four construction.

The OPW and Clare County Council are progressing five flood relief schemes in County Clare. These works include three large schemes namely Springfield which is at stage four construction, and the Shannon and Kilkee flood relief schemes, which are at Stage one preliminary design. Two smaller schemes in Kilrush and Bunratty are being progressed directly by Clare County Council.

The OPW operate the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which provides funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies, costing up to €0.75 million each, to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Since 2009, OPW have approved funding of €5.5m to Cork County Council and €3.7m to Clare County Council under the Minor Works scheme.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the engagement he has had with Cork County Council in relation to flood damages and the support that will be available in response to recent flooding after Storm Babet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46947/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I want, on my own and on the Government’s behalf to express sympathy to the people in Cork County and other locations who had their houses and businesses flooded or were impacted by Storm Babet. On Thursday last, the day after the flooding event An Taoiseach and I visited Midleton. We wanted to meet with the local community to see at first hand the devastating impact from Storm Babet, to hear first-hand their experiences and to reassure the community of the Government’s support to them during the recovery from this event and to deliver a scheme for the town. We also met with officials from Cork County Council during this visit.

Across East Cork and other local authority areas, the local authority staff, An Garda Síochána, Civil Defence, the Defence Forces and the Irish Coastguard worked to provide an emergency response to those affected. I would like to pay tribute to the staff concerned for their work during these very difficult and challenging conditions.

On Friday last I met with officials from Cork City Council when I visited Glanmire to meet with those affected in that community.

The Government has initiated all appropriate responses to the flooding situation. Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection, activated the humanitarian assistance scheme on the 19th October to support households in Cork City and County and West Waterford, including Cork City, Midleton, Youghal, Castletownbere, Mallow, Tallow and Dungarvan and other affected areas.

The purpose of this scheme is to prevent hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.

A total of 223 payments amounting to €147,260 has been made to those affected by the recent flooding.

Minister Humphreys has also increased the income limits for the scheme with immediate effect.

In addition, Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has opened two Emergency Business Flooding Schemes for small businesses, sports clubs, community, and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by the recent flooding in Counties Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Kilkenny and Louth.

The schemes provide humanitarian support contributions towards the costs of returning small businesses, sporting, voluntary and community premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant. Assistance of up to €100,000 can be made available under the Scheme.

In addition to the humanitarian assistance, financial assistance by way of low-cost loans is immediately available from Microfinance Ireland to small businesses that cannot get loan financing from other lenders. Loan options include cashflow loans of up to €25,000, which can be used for general business purposes including re stocking and other business costs. Loans for capital expenditure are also available which could fund the refurbishment of premises or the replacement of equipment.

On Tuesday of this week, I and my officials met with the Chief Executive and senior officials from Cork County Council and the scheme’s consultants to discuss how the Midleton flood relief scheme can be delivered as quickly as possible.

I would like to reassure this House that this Government will do all it can as quickly and efficiently as possible to help the communities affected by the recent storms and flooding.