Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
50. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline the progress made to date with respect to proposed flood prevention measures in Castlemartyr, Midleton, Mogeely, Killeagh, Rathcormac and Whitegate in Cork east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27098/26]
View answer70. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the rollout of the individual property protection scheme across east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27097/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 70 together.
Through the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM), 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 the 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. 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, or construction to some 100 schemes.
Across Cork City and County, nine flood relief schemes have been completed to date.
Under the National Development Plan, the OPW is currently providing funding to Cork County Council for nine staff to deliver all 15 additional flood relief schemes across their area of remit. Six of these are Tranche 1 schemes, which are underway at this time, including the scheme for Midleton.
The Midleton Flood Relief Scheme, which will protect up to 750 properties, is currently estimated to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in Q3 2026, with an approximate date for substantial completion in 2031. The programme is subject to continuous, ongoing review by Cork County Council and the OPW.
A planning application for advance works at Tír Cluain, to protect 135 of these properties, was granted in January 2026 and construction works are planned to commence later this year.
In October 2024, the OPW approved €5.8m in funding for Cork County Council to make Individual Property Protection (IPP) available free of charge to home and business owners in Midleton and across East Cork who were impacted by Storm Babet in October 2023. This included retrospective payment to property owners who had purchased suitable IPP measures between 18th October 2023 and 7th October 2024.
The scheme requires some 2,000 flood barriers, and a significant number of these need civil works to have them installed. As of 7th April 2026, Cork County Council has advised that 36% of the properties are now fully protected and 64% of the total number of flood gates required have been delivered. The Council is continuing to procure flood gates and civil works contractors to deliver the scale of this programme as quickly as possible. Cork County Council and the OPW are keeping the delivery of this IPP scheme under review.
A quarterly update by Cork County Council on the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme and the Individual Property Protection scheme was presented at the Midleton Flood Committee meeting on 12th February 2026, and the next update is scheduled for 23rd April 2026.
Under the national programme, work has yet to commence on three Tranche 2 flood relief schemes in East Cork, including Castlemartyr, Rathcormac, and Youghal. The Castlemartyr Area of Potentially Significant Flood Risk has been extended to include the village of Mogeely. The OPW is piloting a new delivery model in Counties Donegal and Kilkenny, which will inform the delivery of future Tranche 2 schemes nationally, including those in County Cork.
A detailed review of the flood mapping and risk for Killeagh will be undertaken to fully understand the flooding mechanisms in this community and the degree of risk present. Upon completion of the detailed review, this will allow for an assessment of future actions.
Since 2009, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, the OPW has approved some €7.4 million funding to Cork County Council for some 57 projects. Under the scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to advance the works, once approved by the OPW. This includes all environmental assessments, planning consents, health and safety requirements and landowner agreements. Projects approved to date are available to view through www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/.
The Council has completed a number of interim flood defence works in Midleton since Storm Babet in October 2023, along with interim flood mitigation measures for Rathcormac, Castlemartyr and Killeagh. Cork County Council are directly progressing interim flood mitigation measures in respect of Mogeely and Castlemartyr through public procurement.
In January 2026, the OPW approved funding of €107,708 for the procurement of an engineering consultant to conduct surveys and a study and to recommend measures to mitigate the risk of flooding to properties in Whitegate Village, Co. Cork.
