Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to deliver a flood management solution for Bantry and, critically, an interim flood management plan to protect businesses and homes while long-term solutions are being developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61559/25]

Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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430. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide the original and revised commencement dates for the Mill Culvert Upgrade Project in Bantry, County Cork; the reason the timeline has been moved; and the interim measures which have been put in place to date. [62088/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 430 together.

Through the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works, (OPW), in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. The Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans, an output of CFRAM, provided the evidence for a proactive approach to designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.

Under the national delivery model, Cork County Council is leading the delivery of six flood relief schemes in the first tranche including Bantry Flood Relief Scheme, with nine schemes planned in the second tranche. The OPW is funding nine staff in Cork County Council to support the delivery of its programme of schemes.

Investment of €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan has allowed the OPW, since 2018, to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, and construction to some 100 schemes, including the scheme for Bantry.

Bantry Flood Relief Scheme, is currently at Stage 1 (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design). The proposed Bantry scheme is expected to provide protection to some 200 properties against significant flood risk.

The scheme consultants have identified an emerging preferred option which, if feasible, will be presented to the public before the end of this year. A date for this event will be confirmed shortly. The submission of this major scheme to planning is currently scheduled for Q3 2027.

Cork County Council is also progressing the installation of screens as an interim measure, one of which is in the Mill River. Cork County Council is engaging with the landowner concerned. A further screen is scheduled to be installed on the Alley River in Summer 2026.

To mitigate damage from recurring flood events, the OPW, since 2021, has approved some €335,000 to Cork County Council to strengthen its emergency response for the installation of non-return valves, purchase of pumps and large sandbags. This also includes funding of some €143,000 for Individual Property Protection for affected properties in Bantry. Cork County Council is continuing to explore, with consultants for the main flood relief scheme, other possible mitigation measures ahead of the scheme’s delivery.

The Mill Culvert Upgrade Project is a separate project to the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme. Cork County Council is leading this project and has secured Part 8 planning consent. The Council is working with all the project stakeholders, including the OPW and Uisce Éireann on the overall funding proposal for the Mill Culvert Upgrade Project. To allow the continued progression of the project the OPW recently approved funding for Cork County Council to meet the consultant costs associated with this stage of the project.

Cork County Council appointed a consultant for detailed design, contractor procurement and management in October 2025. The consultant is undertaking a review of the deliverables for the project and a contract programme for delivery of the project will be finalised shortly.