Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
549. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the details of the efforts his Department have undertaken to source expertise from abroad to direct tranche 2 flood relief projects for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. [12925/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra550. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the details of his Department’s commitment to incorporating nature-based solutions into its overall management of flood risk in East Cork. [12926/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra551. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when the villages of Mogeely, Castlemartyr, Killeagh, Whitegate, Ladysbridge, Rathcormac can expect to see work begin on flood mitigation efforts to protect local households and businesses. [12927/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 549, 550 and 551 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.
As it is not feasible to deliver all flood relief schemes concurrently (due to constraints on the specialised engineering skills in the OPW, local authorities, and the consultancy market), the flood-relief delivery programme was sub-divided into two tranches, focusing initially on Tranche 1 schemes and those already in the delivery pipeline. The prioritisation of the first tranche of schemes was based on three criteria including: scale of projects, capacity to deliver a national programme, and maximising return on investment by reference to property numbers. Under the national programme, work has yet to commence on the design of some 50 Tranche 2 flood relief schemes.
The development of flood relief schemes under the OPW’s capital programme also involves a specific requirement to assess the potential for nature-based solutions as part of the overall solution to managing flood risk for a particular community. Where feasible, these measures will be implemented to reduce flood risk and contribute to achieving benefits in the areas of water quality, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and public amenity, as well as potentially contributing to flood risk reduction.
Across Cork, 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.
There are three Tranche 2 flood relief schemes in East Cork: Castlemartyr, Rathcormac, and Youghal. The Castlemartyr Area of Potentially Significant Flood Risk has been extended to include the villages of Ladysbridge and 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.
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.
The Council have 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.
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.
Cork County Council have advertised for engineering consultancy services for interim flood mitigation measures in respect of Mogeely and Castlemartyr.
I recently announced revisions to the Minor Works Scheme, including increasing the maximum funding under the scheme to €2m. My Office is finalising the details of these revisions, and I expect to announce these details shortly.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €7.4 million funding to Cork County Council for some 57 projects. Under the Minor Works 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. Details of approved funding are available through www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works.
