Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
33. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the funding in place for flood relief projects in Cork from 2026-2020, including areas of Cork north-west which are prioritised under the CFRAMS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69158/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Nationally, 56 schemes have been completed to date, which are providing protection to some 13,580 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.
To date, the OPW has completed 9 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 10 major flood relief schemes at development and design, planning or construction stage in County Cork: Ballinhassig, Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney, Bantry, River Bride (Blackpool), Carrigaline, Glashaboy, Lower Lee (Cork City), Macroom, Midleton, and Morrison’s Island. Once completed, these 10 schemes will provide protection to a further circa 3,800 properties. The OPW is funding 9 engineering staff in Cork County Council to support its delivery of flood relief schemes.
Expenditure on active and completed flood relief schemes for County Cork over the years 2020 to 2024 is set out in Table 1 below. Expenditure for 2025 is indicated up to and including 03/12/2025.
Table 1: Cork County Expenditure 2020-2025
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
Flood Relief Scheme Expenditure Cork County (€m) |
22.1 |
11.9 |
15.2 |
13.2 |
25.8 |
13.7 |
*2025 Expenditure is up to and including 03/12/2025.
Capital allocations for flood relief schemes for 2026 will be finalised by the OPW in January and will be monitored regularly throughout the year. The OPW engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on an ongoing basis, including through the annual budgetary process, regarding funding requirements to ensure that adequate funding is available to progress the programme of delivery of flood relief schemes.
In addition, the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (which was introduced by the OPW in 2009) provides 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 Minor Works scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.
To date, some €7.2m has been approved for over 55 projects in County Cork under the Minor Works scheme. Further details are available at https://www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/.
