Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
332. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the reason a project (details supplied) has not yet been approved to commence by the OPW; when will it be approved; and the reason for the delay in it being approved. [56581/25]
View answer333. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to instruct the OPW to pursue all avenues to provide flood mitigation in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56582/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together.
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 Castlemartyr.
As Mogeely is a short distance upstream of Castlemartyr, an existing Area of Potentially Significant Flood Risk (APSFR), the Castlemartyr APSFR has been extended to include the village of Mogeely and the village of Ladysbridge, to provide for an efficient assessment of the risk and potential mitigation options for the three communities together.
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/.
In September 2024, the OPW approved funding of €81,800 under the aforementioned Scheme for flood mitigation works in Castlemartyr. Works included maintenance of the river channel and the removal of overhanging/fallen trees that were obstructing the flow. In August 2025, the OPW also approved funding of €116,235 under the Minor Works Scheme for a study to explore the possibility of flood mitigation solutions in the catchment upstream of Mogeely. Projects subject to approved funding are the responsibility of the relevant local authority to advance.
The OPW has ongoing engagement with Cork County Council in relation to flood risk at Mogeely, Castlemartyr, and other communities and the optimal means of implementing flood relief measures for these areas.
