Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an update on flood relief measures in Castlemartyr, Mogeely and Killeagh, east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5075/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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To date, six communities across Cork County are protected from significant flood risk by completed flood relief schemes.

Through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the required professional and specialised engineering skills. However, the Government is committed to funding these projects through the €1.3bn available under the National Development Plan for flood relief measures.

Since 2018, and working with local authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction.

The Flood Risk Management Plans identified fifteen additional flood relief schemes for Cork County. Under the national delivery model, Cork County Council is leading the delivery of six flood relief schemes with nine planned in the next phase, called Tranche 2, including Castlemartyr, Youghal and Rathcormac. The OPW is funding nine engineering staff in Cork County Council to support its delivery of this programme of schemes, and other schemes across the county including in Mogeely and Killeagh.

The Midleton Flood Relief Scheme is being led by Cork County Council and currently is estimated for submission to An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development Acts by early 2026 and for substantial completion by 2031. Cork County Council has begun to engage with landowners, whose lands have been identified as needed for the scheme. Work is ongoing on environmental surveys and assessments which are required to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. The Council have progressed a number Interim flood defence works in Midleton since Storm Babet in October 2023, with planning design well advanced for proposed advance works at Tir Cluain.

The OPW is piloting a new delivery model to inform the most efficient delivery to be applied for the future 50 Tranche 2 schemes nationally.

The OPW understands that the Council progressed interim flood mitigation measures, for Rathcormac, which were funded under Climate Adaptation and Resilience local grants. These works included the installation of a flood embankment, upgrade of storm infrastructure, drainage channel clearing and works to roads to improve drainage.

Cork County Council can introduce localised flood mitigation measures in Rathcormac with 90% funding from the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme ahead of a flood relief scheme commencing. Under the minor works scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000.

The OPW approved funding under this scheme for flood mitigation works in Castlemartyr and Killeagh in September 2024. Works included gravel removal, river cleaning and minor drainage upgrades to the rivers Kiltha and Dissour. The Council have advised that they are currently investigating additional interim works for 2025.

Cork County Council submitted a minor works funding proposal in January 2025 to OPW for funding for a study into the potential for Natural Water Retention Measures as an interim mitigation measure in Mogeely. This application is currently under review by the OPW. The OPW understands that the Council is currently exploring a further minor works funding proposal for flood mitigation works at Mogeely.

The villages of Castlemartyr, Mogeely and Killeagh are included in the Midleton and East Cork Individual Property Protection Scheme, which is a Cork County Council scheme with €5.8m funding by the OPW. Under this scheme, property owners who experienced flooding during Storm Babet (October 2023) are eligible to apply for receipt of Individual Property Protection measures. Property surveys are ongoing with floodgate delivery to suitable properties commencing in the coming weeks.