James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding tranche 2 of the OPW flood protection scheme in Rathcormac and Castlemartyr, Mogeely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16296/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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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.

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

To date, the OPW has completed nine flood relief schemes in County Cork. This includes the Bandon, Clonakilty, Douglas, Dunmanway, Fermoy North, Fermoy South, Mallow North, Mallow South & West, and Skibbereen flood relief schemes.

Currently, there are ten major flood relief schemes underway in County Cork, with nine planned in the next phase, including Rathcormac and Castlemartyr. The OPW is funding nine engineering staff in Cork County Council to support its delivery of this programme of schemes, and is piloting a new delivery model in County Donegal and County Kilkenny 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 with up to 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.

In September 2024, the OPW approved funding of €81,800 under the aforementioned scheme for flood mitigation works in Castlemartyr. Works included cleaning of the Kiltha River channel and the removal of overhanging trees obstructing the river flow.

Cork County Council has submitted a Minor Works funding proposal in January 2025 to the 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 Cork County Council is currently exploring a further Minor Works funding proposal for flood mitigation works at Mogeely.

In the interim, the villages of Castlemartyr and Mogeely were included in the Midleton and East Cork Individual Property Protection (IPP) Scheme, which is a Cork County Council scheme with €5.8m of funding by the OPW. Under this IPP Scheme, property owners who experienced flooding during Storm Babet (October 2023) are eligible to apply for receipt of IPP measures.

The OPW has ongoing engagement with Cork County Council in relation to flood risk at Rathcormac, Mogeely, Castlemartyr, and other communities and the optimal means of implementing flood relief measures for these areas.