I submitted a number of parliamentary questions on that because it is in my own area in east Cork. I would like to read the reply into the record. The questions were submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. The reply states:
I am aware of and saw at first hand the devastation caused by flooding from Storm Babet to the communities of East Cork and the significant impact on people, families, businesses and communities.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme - Ireland’s largest study of flood risk, was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. The delivery of these Plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan to 2030. To date, 55 schemes have been completed, which are providing protection to over 13,000 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme provided the Government with the evidence necessary to launch a national programme of 150 additional flood relief schemes in 2018. While Midleton was a part of the CFRAM programme, major flooding in December 2015 and again in January 2016, were the catalysts to commence work on the design of a flood relief scheme for Midleton before the conclusion of the CFRAM programme.
Cork County Council is leading the delivery of the scheme and in 2017 appointed engineering and environmental consultants. Designing any flood relief scheme is complex and requires data on the flood sources and their associated risks. Midleton has proven to be one of the most complex schemes. It has flood risks from four sources, fluvial, tidal, groundwater and pluvial. In 2017, data did not exist on all these sources and monitoring was required over a number of years to allow the flooding mechanism to be properly understood.
The data gathering and changing regulatory requirements, including environmental assessments, further increased the scale and scope of the project. Throughout this period, three separate Public Participation Days were held in 2017, 2020 and 2022. These served to gather useful information and assess the community’s views on the emerging and preferred option for the Flood Relief Scheme. This outcome also increased the scope of the analysis and assessments required.
The preferred scheme has now been identified with an estimated budget of €50m, three times the estimated budget in 2017. This highlights the scale of the project’s increase in scope. It also highlights that we have designed a scheme that is robust, supported by strong evidence that has the support of the local community, and is future proofed being adaptable to climate change scenarios. The preferred option protects 580 properties and can give back flood insurance to the town, as well as standing up to scrutiny or challenge.
Following Storm Babet, an assessment of the proposed scheme is now underway, so we can be confident that we have designed a scheme that can meet the standard of protection required by the insurance industry. The next major step is to seek planning consent and work is ongoing on the development of the planning design for the scheme.
Identification and implementation of interim flood defence measures for Midelton has also been progressed, which include the following:
• the removal of trees in channel at Moore’s Bridge
• installation of water level gauges at Tir Cluain Bridge, Lidl Bridge and the pedestrian bridge in People’s Park
• jetting the town's drainage system
• continuing to engage with landowners in relation to the removal of restricted bridges on the Owenacurra River
• removing of debris from the river is being assessed by the engineering consultants for this scheme. Subject to derogation from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications these instream works will be undertaken ahead of the seasonal window in July
• revising the Emergency Response Plan for Midleton
• procuring a consultant to design the Carrigogna Bridge Watermain diversion
• The OPW Hydrometric section will install two new hydrometric gauges on the Owenacurra River and on the Dungourney River. These gauges are expected to be installed in Q2 2024
I think those gauges are there already. The reply continues:
• Plans for the provision of Individual Property Protection to properties in Midleton are being developed, and will be subject to funding approval from the Office of Public Works.
An assessment of additional works, which could be delivered in advance of the main scheme is ongoing. Detailed hydraulic assessment of such measures is required, as is compliance with the relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks.
In relation to flood relief schemes and interim measures for other communities in East Cork, it is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously. This is due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes. This prioritised approach to delivering flood relief schemes means that work is complete, or underway to protect some 80% of all at-risk properties nationally.
The proposed Flood Relief Scheme for Castlemartyr, Youghal and Rathcormac are not in the first phase of projects being progressed as part of the national programme.
The OPW is working closely with Local Authorities, and at all times strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum of delay. It is open to Cork County Council to make an application under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, to undertake minor flood mitigation works to address localised fluvial flooding in advance of the proposed Flood Relief Scheme for these communities and other communities to address localised flood risk.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The works may be up to a value of €750,000 with 90% funded by the OPW and are carried out under Local Authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the Local Authority. The OPW welcome applications under this scheme and is always willing to engage with Local Authorities in this regard.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved €64m across some 880 unique local flood relief projects that protect some 7,900 properties through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
I will skip the next sentence of the reply because it is not relevant. The reply continues:
The OPW is working closely with Cork County Council to expedite the delivery of flood relief schemes in County Cork with the minimum of delay and currently provide funding for five full-time engineering staff in Cork County Council. This includes two engineers dedicated to the Midleton interim works and Flood Relief Scheme. The OPW are currently in discussions with Cork County Council to fund additional engineering and administrative staff for the purpose of delivering flood relief schemes across the County and expect to conclude these discussions shortly.
I understand Cork County Council is reviewing its emergency response plans, to reflect the experiences of flooding in late 2023.
The following interim works are underway or under consideration by Cork County Council for the following towns and villages located in East Cork:
Castlemartyr
In July 2018, Cork County Council submitted an application under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for river cleaning works upstream and downstream of Castlemartyr Bridge. This application did not meet the criteria for the scheme. Following the recent devastating flooding caused by Storm Babet, Cork County Council confirmed that it would review its original application and has recently submitted an updated application to the OPW for Castlemartyr. This application is being considered by the OPW and is under discussion with Cork County Council, especially in relation to the linkages of any proposed minor works with the flood relief scheme for the town.
With regard to Whitegate village, the reply states, "The OPW understands that Cork County Council have undertaken a post flood event report in Whitegate Village and have identified the need for further assessment."
The reply addresses Mogeely, stating:
The OPW have been advised that Cork County Council is currently preparing an application to the scheme for interim flood risk mitigation works at Gleann Fia and at other locations in Mogeely. I understand that Cork County Council are considering all possible solutions to mitigate against flooding in that area.
I know it is a bit long but many areas in east Cork were flooded. As people listening can hear from the reply, much work is done on this.
I know there is urgency in east Cork. There are other issues as well. I thank the committee for all its engagement on this. There is an awful lot of work involved. I say to people out there that this committee has not forgotten about the flooding in east Cork. We are trying to do everything we can. I know there is urgency there at the moment and there are other underlying issues. There are some amazing people in the whole of east Cork who have been affected by this flooding and I am in constant contact with them. Some people have gone out and made suggestions to the municipal councils and the county council. I know of an individual in the Mogeely housing estate who has approached farmers to do their own mitigation and flood prevention works. I know it is very easy for us here in the committee but these people are not being forgotten about. I know there is an awful sense of urgency. We have been hit more than five times with this. However, we need to get it right. Whatever we can do as a committee, even by keeping in touch with the municipals and Cork County Council, we will do it. At least we are moving in the right direction. I met the newly appointed Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O’Donnell, last Tuesday and had a brief discussion with him. I said to him that I was looking forward to working with him. I spoke to him at Moore's Bridge in Midleton two or three days after the floods. I will not be letting it go and I will keep the committee informed.
