James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Midleton flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16295/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I am aware of the devastation caused by flooding to communities and the impact on the people, families and businesses in Midleton and East Cork. Cork County Council with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW), for nine staff for flood projects across the county, is leading the delivery of the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme and in 2017 appointed engineering and environmental consultants. Midleton has proven to be one of the most complex schemes with flood risks from four sources; fluvial, tidal, groundwater and pluvial. The preferred option has been identified and, following Storm Babet, an assessment has been completed, so that 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 finalise the details of the scheme design and to seek planning consent. To that effect, Cork County Council has begun to engage with landowners, whose lands have been identified as needed for the scheme, and an information clinic for the affected landowners was held on 22nd January 2025, in which over 100 landowners were in attendance. At this clinic Cork County Council outlined the engagement process for landowners in the coming months. Cork County Council and the consultant has started to engage individually with affected landowners in March 2025.

In parallel with these meetings, work is continuing on the environmental surveys and assessments, which are required to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the scheme. At this time, the indicative estimate is for Cork County Council, in early 2026, to submit to An Bord Pleanála the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme under the Planning and Development Acts.

An assessment of advance works, which involves the delivery of elements of the scheme in advance of the delivery of the whole scheme, has been completed with Tir Cluain and South Park GAA identified as suitable for such works. The OPW understands that work is ongoing by Cork County Council on the preparation of planning documents for these works under the Part 8 planning process, in the coming quarter.

In addition to the advance works assessment, interim flood defence measures in Midleton are underway and in compliance with the regulatory frameworks. A number of interim measures have been completed, including the removal of Moore’s Bridge in August 2024, which was a possible source of flood risk. The removal of gravels deposited during Storm Babet is complete, in addition to the clearance of fallen trees and overgrown vegetation at various locations on the Owenacurra and Dungourney Rivers. A number of gauges have been installed on the Dungourney River by the OPW Hydrometric Team, and Interim flood defences have been installed at Woodlands estate. Cork County Council and the scheme consultants are currently investigating potential interim works at a site north of the Northern Relief Road, and also engaging with Met Éireann to develop more focussed flood forecasting for County Cork, and in particular East Cork.

In October 2024, the OPW announced €5.8m in funding to Cork County Council for the installation of Individual Property Protection measures to homeowners and businesses impacted by the October 2023 flood event during Storm Babet across Midleton and East Cork. The Individual Property Protection Scheme is intended to help reduce the impact of flooding, mitigating the damage caused to people’s property. Property surveys are ongoing with floodgate delivery to suitable properties commencing in the coming weeks.

A quarterly update by Cork County Council on the Midleton and East Cork Individual Property Protection scheme was presented at the Midleton Flood Committee meeting on the 30th January 2025 and the next update is scheduled for the 29th April 2025. This Committee involves locally elected representatives, business community and the wider community.