Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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There is a proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme identified for Youghal in the Flood Risk Management Plans announced in 2018 to be funded by €1.3bn from the National Development Plan to 2030.

Since 2018, the OPW has trebled the number of schemes, to 90, in the pipeline being designed and at construction. Given the highly specialised market for designing flood relief schemes it is not possible to progress all proposed new schemes at once.

While the proposed scheme in Youghal is not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW continues to liaise closely with Cork County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects identified for Cork is kept under review, and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible and within the timeframe for the National Development Plan.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The works to be funded are carried out under Local Authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the Council.

Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.floodinfo.ie.

In 2021, the OPW approved funding of €34,392 to Cork County Council under this scheme for a Minor Works project involving the repair and replacement of a tidal sluice and associated works at Pilmore, Youghal, Co. Cork. Any queries regarding the works being carried out are a matter for Cork County Council.

In 2023, approved funding of €121,500 was granted to Cork County Council for a Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study for Pilmore Cottages. Once this study is complete, Cork County Council may consider submitting an application for structural measures to prevent or mitigate erosion in this area.

To assist Local Authorities in managing the coastline for coastal erosion, the OPW has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website floodinfo.ie. This data enables Local Authorities to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties.

The OPW is currently carrying out a Pilot Coastal Monitoring Survey Programme which is a five year pilot project to implement a regular survey programme in selected coastal locations to increase our understanding of coastal change in these areas. The coastline at Youghal, including Pilmore beach, is one of the areas included in this pilot programme and surveying activities at Youghal commenced in 2022.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended.

The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. A significant stretch of the Womanagh River forms the Womanagh Drainage District which is the responsibility of Cork County Council to maintain.

Other sections of the Womanagh River have historic embankment defences in private ownership, such as those at Ballymacoda. Prior to the introduction of the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in 2009, the OPW assisted on a pilot basis with embankment repair works for a length of the embankment downstream of Crompaun Bridge.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. All Local Authorities may carry out flood mitigation works using either their own resources or by applying for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

The OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme 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/or coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. The commencement and progression of any works for which funding is approved is a matter for each Local Authority concerned.

In 2021, the OPW approved funding of €34,392 to Cork County Council for the repair and replacement of a tidal sluice on the Womanagh River at Pilmore. Further funding in 2023 of €121,500 has been provided to Cork County Council for a Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study at Pilmore Cottages, Youghal. Once this study is complete, Cork County Council may consider submitting an application for structural measures to prevent or mitigate erosion in this area.