John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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353. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the proposed flood relief works for Inchigeelagh, Cork which is included in the CFRAM plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57331/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State, was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. The CFRAM programme studied 80% of Ireland's primary flood risk and identified measures to protect over 95% of that risk. The 29 Flood Risk Management Plans were a key output of CFRAM, identifying proposed flood relief measures nationwide. The Government is committed to funding these projects through the €1.3bn available under the National Development Plan.

It is not possible to progress all 150 new and additional flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the required professional and specialised engineering skills in the OPW, local authorities, and in the consultancy market. Since 2018, and working with local authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning or construction in Tranche 1.

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. These completed schemes protect 1,750 properties from flooding.

Currently, there are ten major flood relief schemes at development and design or construction stage in County Cork: Ballinhassig, Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney, Bantry, Blackpool, Carrigaline, Glashaboy, Cork City (Lower Lee), Macroom, Midleton, and Morrison’s Island. Once completed, these ten projects will provide protection to a further circa 3,800 properties. The OPW is funding nine engineering staff in Cork County Council to support its delivery of flood relief schemes.

Under the national programme, work has yet to commence on some 50 Tranche 2 flood relief schemes. Planning for the delivery of these schemes has commenced through the Tranche 2 Pilot. Ultimately, the Pilot will inform the delivery model to be applied for the future tranche of schemes and in doing so, will be relevant to all schemes nationwide. There are a further nine proposed flood relief schemes in Tranche 2 throughout County Cork, including Inchigeelagh.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (Minor Works Scheme) was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Applications for funding from local authorities are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, technical, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost-benefit ratio.

I recently announced that an increase in funding supports are to be made available to local authorities under the Minor Works Scheme, including an increase in the upper Minor Works threshold from €750,000 to €2,000,000. Details of these revisions to the Scheme are to be made available to local authorities over the coming weeks.

To date, some €7m has been approved for over 50 projects in County Cork under the Minor Works scheme. Further details are available at www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/.