Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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387. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the interim or temporary protective measures the OPW will put in place for households along the Commons Road, Blackpool, Cork particularly at a location (details supplied) to safeguard against flooding in winter 2025. [48704/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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388. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if dredging of the river, construction of temporary embankments, or other short-term works will be considered by the OPW to reduce the immediate risk of flooding to properties in Blackpool while awaiting full delivery of the permanent scheme. [48705/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.

In order to address flood risk in Blackpool Co. Cork, the OPW is currently progressing the Bride River (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme (“the Scheme”), which has an approved project budget of €20.5 million. The proposed Scheme includes conveyance improvements, flood defence embankments, walls and pumping stations, and is expected to provide protection from the Bride River for some 293 properties (206 residential and 87 commercial).

The Scheme was sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for confirmation under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, as amended. A public consultation is currently being held by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation under Section 7C(3) of the Arterial Drainage Act with the deadline for submissions on Friday 10th October 2025.

With regards to potential interim or temporary protective measures pending the scheme completion, including households along the Commons Road in Blackpool, this is a matter for Cork City Council with funding available from the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme ahead of the completion of the Scheme.

The purpose of the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake short-term measures in the form of minor flood mitigation works to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative area. The scheme applies, where a flood defence solution can be readily identified and achieved within a short timeframe.

The OPW would not consider that dredging of the river could be undertaken on a temporary or interim basis, as it would require environmental assessments and may be constrained due to the topography of the area.