Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
406. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on securing a consultant to perform the assessment of the flood mitigations for a location (details supplied) along with others impacted by the River Dower in the locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65060/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk in Ireland to date, was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. The 29 Flood Risk Management Plans were a key output of CFRAM, identifying proposed flood relief measures nationwide.
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. However, the Government is committed to funding these projects through the €1.3bn available under the National Development Plan.
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.
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 scoping, development and design, or construction stage in County Cork: Ballinhassig, Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney, Bantry, Blackpool, Carrigaline, Glashaboy, Lower Lee (Cork City), Macroom, Midleton, and Morrison’s Island. Once completed, these ten schemes will provide protection to a further circa 3,800 properties, with an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €380m.
There are also nine further proposed flood relief schemes in the next phase known as Tranche 2, 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, as well as the village of Ladysbridge.
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.
To date, some €7m has been approved for projects in County Cork under the Minor Works scheme. Further details are available at https://www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/
In September 2024, the OPW approved funding of €81,800 under the Minor Works 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 river flow. In August 2025, the OPW also approved funding of €116,200 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 is actively engaging with delivery partners and other stakeholders on lessons learned and is piloting a new delivery model in Counties Donegal and Kilkenny to inform delivery of future Tranche 2 schemes nationally.
The OPW has ongoing engagement with Cork County Council in relation to flood risk at Mogeely, Castlemartyr, and other communities in Cork and the optimal means of implementing flood relief measures for these areas.
