Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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25. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a standard flood barrier height being delivered under the Midleton and east Cork individual property protection (IPP) scheme; if there are any exceptions to this height being considered under the scheme, particularly for those areas who historically have experienced the worst flooding; the number of properties in Midleton and east Cork that have been recommended for the installation of higher barriers by an engineering report; the possibility of property owners being considered for a retrospective payment should they wish to install a higher barrier than what is currently provided for under the IPP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38099/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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In October 2024, the Office of Public Works approved €5.8m in funding for Cork County Council to make Individual Property Protection (IPP) available free of charge to an estimated 923 home and business owners who were impacted by Storm Babet (October 2023) in Midleton (749) and East Cork (174).

The Midleton and East Cork IPP Scheme, which is a Cork County Council scheme opened for applications on 7th October to all households and businesses in the affected areas. Applications for the scheme were accepted until the 18th November 2024.

Cork County Council has advised that the standard height of barrier being delivered under the IPP scheme is 680mm which is the accepted industry standard height for flood barriers and is in line with best practice guidance from the United Kingdom to avoid potential structural damage to properties if barriers are installed to withstand higher flood levels. The pressures exerted by floodwater can cause sudden or long-term structural damage to, and undermine the foundations of a building or cause leakage through the walls, floor or sub-floor, unless the building is specifically designed to withstand such pressures. No exceptions to this standard height are being considered.

The engineering reports for some properties do refer to greater depths of flooding than the standard barrier height; however, it is important to note that these reports are not based on structural assessment of a property’s ability to withstand the pressures exerted by such greater water depths, but rather they typically reflect conversations between the surveying engineer and the property owner.

Retrospective payments have been made under the scheme to property owners who purchased IPP products between 18/10/2023 and 07/10/2024. Cork County Council do not propose to extend the retrospective scheme for property owners who purchase IPP beyond these dates.