James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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275. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the progress of the Midleton flood relief scheme; the estimated timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52697/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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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 current total project budget for the scheme is estimated to be some €55.8m which includes €5.8m approved in 2024 for the Midleton and East Cork Individual Property Protection Scheme and funding is provided by the OPW as part of the Government’s commitment of €1.3 billion for the delivery of flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.

The Midleton Flood Relief Scheme, to protect up to 750 properties is currently estimated to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála under the Planning and Development Acts in Q2 2026 and for substantial completion in 2031.

Cork County Council is engaging 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.

Cork County Council have completed a number of interim flood defence works in Midleton following Storm Babet in October 2023.

A part 8 planning application for advance works at Tir Cluain, to protect up to 135 properties has been published by Cork County Council and is available to the public online and at the Planning Department, Cork County Hall and at Cork County Council East Cork Municipal District Offices at Midleton Lodge and Mall House, Youghal with submissions/observations to be made before 4pm on 11th November 2025. Subject to a successful planning application construction works are planned to commence in late summer/early autumn 2026.

In October 2024, the OPW approved €5.8m in funding for Cork County Council to make Individual Property Protection available free of charge to some 725 homes and businesses in Midleton and across East Cork who were impacted by Storm Babet in October 2023. This scheme forms part of the Council’s emergency response plans for these areas. The Council is continuing to procure flood gates and civil works contractors to deliver the scale of this programme as quickly as possible.

A quarterly update to elected representatives, members of the business community and the wider community, by Cork County Council on the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme and Individual Property Protection Scheme is scheduled to take place on 9th October 2025.