Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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209.To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an update from his recent visit to east Cork in Castlemartyr, Killeagh, Mogeely and with the residents of an area (details supplied) regarding the ongoing flood defence proposals for east Cork; if the issues at Moore's Bridge, Midleton are going to be resolved quickly, including the removal of the bridge in the Owenacurra River; if the riverbed further down from the bridge will have the excess gravel removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24742/24]

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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210.To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or his Department has seen the proposals from the residents of an estate (details supplied) to introduce immediate flood prevention measures with the help of the local landowner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24743/24]

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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212.To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an update on the current status of the proposed flood defence projects for the east Cork region. [24782/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 209, 210 and 212 together.

I witnessed at first hand the devastation that Storm Babet had on people, families, businesses and communities in East Cork including MIdleton. Through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. The Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provided the evidence for a proactive approach to designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.

The delivery of the Flood Risk Management Plan is supported by €1.3bn through the National Development Plan. To date, 55 schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 13,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering and other skills that are required to design and construct flood relief schemes.

While this prioritised approach to delivering schemes means that work is complete or underway to protect some 80% of all at-risk properties, nationally, the flood relief projects for Castlemartyr, which is planned to include Mogeely, and Rathcormac are not in the first phase of projects being progressed nationally. The Government is committed to progressing these schemes as a part of the €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.

The OPW is currently piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes, which will inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and construct flood relief schemes. Cork County Council can introduce localised flood mitigation measures with funding from the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for all locations ahead of the completion of a flood relief scheme for the community.

The purpose of this Minor Works scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake short-term measures in the form of minor flood mitigation works to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative area. The scheme applies, where a flood defence solution can be readily identified and achieved within a short timeframe. Under the Scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects.

The OPW is working closely with Cork County Council to expedite the delivery of flood relief schemes in County Cork with the minimum of delay and currently provide funding for five full-time engineering staff in Cork County Council. The OPW are currently in discussions with Cork County Council to fund additional engineering and administrative staff for the purpose of delivering flood relief schemes in the County and expect to conclude these discussions in the coming weeks.

I have set out some further information on East Cork flood defence projects below.

EAST CORK FLOOD DEFENCE PROJECTS

MIDLETON

Following Storm Babet, an assessment of the proposed flood relief scheme for Midleton is now underway, so we can be confident that we have designed a scheme that can meet the standard of protection required by the insurance industry. The next major step is to seek planning consent and work is ongoing on the development of the planning design for the scheme. Interim measures in Midleton are underway in a phased manner, in compliance with the regulatory frameworks; the following has been completed or are ongoing:

• Midleton Interim and Advance Works Report has been completed by Arup, and is under review by the Steering Group before publication
• Installation of additional gauges at Lidl Bridge and Peoples Park
• Remedial works to Ballyedmond Gauge to mitigate risk of further outages have been identified and contractor appointed
• Derogation licence application for removal of gravels downstream of Moore’s Bridge was submitted by Cork County Council in May 2024 to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication for consideration; work is ongoing in parallel on the procurement of works contractor for this work at the earliest opportunity
• Request for quotations for vegetation clearance (town centre) has been issued, with a view to clearance in June
• Engagement with riparian landowners regarding river channel maintenance is ongoing

• Removal of overhanging vegetation at the Owenacurra with a contractor appointed and works to commence in June
• In channel vegetation clearance and removal of deposited material from the channel near the Lidl Bridge
• Replacement of non-return valves at Dwyer’s Road and Ballinacurra, a Contractor has been appointed and works will commence in July 2024.
• Assessment of viability of debris screens
• Continued engagement with Met Éireann on a flood forecasting system
• Continue with efforts to reach landowner agreement on the removal of Moore's Bridge and have further discussions with the owner of a second bridge located on the Owenacurra River

Individual Property Protection (IPP) is being considered as part of the overall suite of measures for Midleton, in tandem with interim and advance works. Cork County Council and OPW are in the process of agreeing the scope and scale of an IPP scheme for Midleton. It is intended to roll out IPP in a targeted and phased basis across Midleton.

CASTLEMARTYR

Cork County Council has submitted an updated application to the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for Castlemartyr. The application consists of proposed works, which includes increasing the height of the wall upstream of Castlemartyr Bridge and cleaning, widening and deepening the river to improve flood conveyance. This application is currently under review by the OPW.

MOGEELY

The OPW understands that Cork County Council have assessed a number of possible options for interim flood relief measures at Gleann Fia, Mogeely and is appointing consultant engineers in the coming weeks to complete a detailed assessment that will include the impact on surrounding lands, given the karst nature of this area. The OPW will continue working with Cork County Council to identify viable interim measures for Mogeely, pending the completion of a scheme for this town, as part of the Castelmartyr Flood Relief Scheme.

KILLEAGH

An application has been submitted by Cork County Council for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for interim flood mitigation works in Killeagh. The proposed works include river cleaning, tree cutting and removal of overhanging trees and branches, repairs to rock armour and guardrail. This application is currently under review by the OPW.