2025-12-11

7. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress made to date with respect to the Midleton flood relief scheme, and the introduction of flood protection measures in Rathcormac, Castlemartyr, Mogeely and Killeagh in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70396/25]

I ask the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation what progress has been made to date with respect to the Midleton flood relief scheme and the introduction of flood protection measures in Rathcormac, Castlemartyr, Mogeely and Killeagh in east Cork, and if he will please make a statement on the matter.

Across Cork, nine flood relief schemes are completed. The OPW is currently providing funding to Cork County Council for nine staff for the delivery of 15 additional flood relief schemes across the county, which are all funded by the Government’s commitment to support the delivery of flood relief schemes under the national development plan. Six of these are in tranche 1 schemes and are under way at this time, including Midleton. The Midleton flood relief scheme is due to be submitted by Cork County Council to An Coimisiún Pleanála in quarter 3 of 2026 and be substantially complete by 2031, protecting up to 750 properties that flooded during Storm Babet. Cork County Council, in June 2025, submitted a marine area consent application to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority. Advance works of €5.8 million at Midleton were recently submitted for planning under Part 8 and a public information day was held on 23 October. Subject to planning consent, construction works to protect 135 properties are expected to commence in late summer or early autumn 2026. Castlemartyr, which includes Mogeely, Rathcormac and Youghal are not in the first tranche of schemes being designed at this time. The specialised nature of engineering required means having trebled the number of schemes at design and construction to 100, Ireland is constrained by availability of specialised resources to commence new schemes. Cork County Council is rolling out a €5.8 million individual property protection scheme across Midleton and east Cork to some 725 homes and businesses affected by Storm Babet in October 2023. This forms part of the council’s emergency response to these areas. The council and the OPW meet quarterly with the local elected representatives, businesses and the community to keep them updated on and provide input into the planned works on the Midleton flood relief scheme and other measures, including those across east Cork. The next meeting will be held on 22 January. Cork County Council, with funding from the OPW, is introducing localised flood mitigation measures for communities across east Cork.

I acknowledge the work the Minister of State has done so far and his visits to these areas already. I acknowledge that and thank him. On 18 October 2023, Storm Babet flooded roughly 600 homes and 300 businesses in east Cork, with damages estimated at almost €200 million. The storm on 9 December of this year showed again that people in east Cork feel genuine fear every time a severe weather warning is issued. These storms are not slowing down, yet the Midleton flood relief scheme is still not expected to reach planning until some point next year, as the Minister of State said. Completion is even further out. In the meantime, people's homes, livelihoods and local businesses remain at risk and the State is exposed to repeated multimillion euro damages and costs. Given the scale of impact on Midleton in particular, can the Minister of State commit to visiting the town and engaging directly with businesses and residents on this urgent matter? It would be a great relief and reassurance if he could visit again because of the fear they constantly have.

If my wife hears I am going to Cork again, she will think I am either running for the election down there or I am having an affair. I will visit Midleton again because I am very keen to drive on the scheme. I have my Department working with the local authorities and the Deputies. As the Deputy knows, I have visited Midleton and nearly all the areas he mentioned. I have been down there twice and I am trying to drive on the scheme but the Midleton scheme is very complex. There are four different sources of flooding that happen in the one area. I understand and read what people are saying about the frustrations they are feeling. I understand it; no one knows this more than myself. It is about trying to deliver a scheme. We get one chance to get it right; if we do not, it will flood. This takes time and it is complex. When we go in and start the job, yes, we will leave Midleton in a much better place. People want to see that happening now but the interim measures, and the changes we have made to the minor works scheme, is a huge help to the local authorities. I will continue to engage with the Deputy, as I will with the people of Midleton, but, in particular, I will be driving on these schemes through the local authorities. I need more push from the Deputies to drive that as well.

I again thank the Minister of State for his response and the reassurance that he will visit Midleton in 2026. I think that is very important for the people of Midleton and the whole of east Cork affected by this. While long-term schemes are being developed, the communities affected are looking for reassurance in the short term. These towns have already endured repeated flooding events and are facing another winter feeling unprotected. Could the Minister of State outline what interim measures are being put in place to support these communities until the Midleton flood relief scheme is delivered and whether additional resources can be made available to ensure local authorities are equipped to respond quickly to future storms? Rathcormac, Mogeely, Killeagh and Castlemartyr are disappointed they are not in tranche 1. Could they also be included? I thank the Minister of State for the money that was given to Rathcormac but what the people of Rathcormac want to see is work to be progressed there when money is available. I thank the Minister of State for the work he has done so far.

Again, with regard to those areas mentioned, I changed the criteria in the minor works scheme, so it is up to the local authority now to look at interim measures. We have supplied it with nine staff so it is up to the local authority to look at those areas in question to see if we can help it to move on. In regard to Midleton, as the Deputy knows, we have done individual property protections, IPPs, and business protection. I know it is low but it is the biggest scheme we have ever taken on with regard to how many houses are affected and need support. Putting in the floodgates at the homes and businesses has been rolled out, as the Deputy knows, and it is slow. In fairness to it, the local authority has carried out other interim measures in Midleton and we are close to coming in with Part 8 planning in certain parts of the area. If we could get that over the line, it would be a huge plus for the local people in Midleton. I know it will not satisfy everyone because it is one section, but the changes I have made to the minor works scheme mean that Cork County Council, working with the Deputy and other public representatives, could move to drive more of the interim measures. I believe in interim measures. I believe that while we are waiting for a long-term solution, these are vital. That is why I made this choice.