______________________________________________
For Oral Answer on : 23/04/2024
Question Number(s): 59 Question Reference(s): 15631/24
Department: Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
______________________________________________
QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the progress made to date with respect to the Midleton flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
I am aware of the devastation caused by flooding to communities and the significant impact on people, families, businesses and communities. 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. 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. Midleton has proven to be one of the most complex schemes. It has flood risks from four sources, fluvial, tidal, groundwater and pluvial.
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.
Following Storm Babet, an assessment of the proposed scheme is being completed, 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.
An assessment of additional works, which could be delivered in advance of the main scheme is ongoing and a report is being finalised with recommendations for interim and advance works to mitigate against flooding in Midleton. This will be made available to the public when it’s completed. It should be noted that detailed hydraulic assessment of any such measures is required, as is compliance with the relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks.
The OPW is working closely with Cork County Council to expedite the delivery of the Midleton and all flood relief schemes in County Cork. The OPW provides funding for five full-time engineering staff in Cork County Council, including two engineers dedicated to the Midleton interim works and Flood Relief Scheme.
