Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when flood defence construction works will advance in the upper River Lee area of County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29438/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works in partnership with Cork County Council, is proactively progressing a preferred option for a viable flood relief scheme for Baile Mhuirne & Baile Mhic Íre that will protect 90 properties from significant risk of flooding. Cork County Council, the lead authority, is currently engaging with the OPW to define the scope of work for a consultancy brief. The OPW understands that Cork County Council will seek to appoint a Consultant to advance the preferred option in Q1 2025 by tender process. Once appointed, the Council will instruct the Consultant to produce a scheme programme, timeline and budget for the delivery of the Ballymakeera and Ballyvourney flood relief scheme.

In the interim, Consultant Engineers have been commissioned by Cork County Council to complete the design of the interim flood relief measures for Ballymakeera and Ballyvourney. The Council has received approval for a total of some €500,000 in funding, under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, for the provision of temporary flood defence measures in this area. The proposed works will include a sand bag defence structure, increasing the ground level with ramps and the installation of two non-return valves. The OPW understands that the Council will shortly appoint a contractor to begin these works.

The commitment by the Government since 2018 of €1.3bn under the National Development Plan for flood relief measures has allowed the OPW, nationally, to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction to some 100. Due to the constraints in specialised engineering resources to design flood relief schemes, it was not possible, in 2018, to start work on all flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans. The proposed flood relief schemes at Ballingeary and Inchigeelagh are two such schemes where funding is committed when resources become available to commence design works to protect 46 and 28 properties respectively. Given the time it takes to deliver flood relief schemes, the OPW is trialling a new delivery model that may inform the approach to delivery of these schemes.

Once consultants are appointed to progress these schemes, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the general public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme. Cork County Council can introduce interim measures to mitigate against flood risk in these communities through the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in advance of a flood relief scheme for these areas.