Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran announces additional €1.1m funding for East Cork under a €14m package of funding for measures to mitigate flooding, since Storm Babet.

Mr. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, today announced the allocation of €1.077m funding for studies and works to introduce interim and flood mitigation measures in Mogeely, Castlemartyr, Rathcormac and Ballintubber. The funding is made available through the OPW’s revised Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

The Minister said

"the allocation today is an example of how the revised Minor Works Scheme, which I

announced in May this year, is delivering mitigation measures to at risk communities pending a flood relief scheme being completed for their communities.” Today’s allocation, in in addition to the €1.35m previously allocated under this scheme to flood mitigation measures across East Cork, including in Killeagh, Youghal and Whitegate.

The Minister highlighted,

“today’s announcement is part of an overall €14m allocation to Midleton and East Cork, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to addressing and mitigating the flood risk in this region, following Storm Babet three years ago”.

The Minister said,

“I know and have seen first-hand the devastation that flooding causes to people, businesses and communities. Speaking following a meeting with the elected representatives from the East Cork region, the Minister said that the €5.8m investment will complete, in November, the delivery and installation of over 2,000 individual property protection measures to over 700 property owners impacted by Storm Babet”.

The Minister also outlined that a further €5.8m investment is allowing for advance works in Tir Cluain, Midleton to progress to construction from Spring next year. These advance works will protect 135 properties.

On the main flood relief scheme for Midleton, the Minister was informed from Cork County Council, the lead agency for the scheme, that it is due to receive the final planning engineering and environmental assessment documents for the scheme from its consultants this month. This will allow the Council to make a planning application for the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme, to protect 750 properties, and all of those impacted by Storm Babet, to An Coimisiún Pleanála, at the end of the year. This scheme is scheduled to be substantially completed in 2031.

The Minister thanked Cork County Council for its work to progress measures and the schemes for East Cork. “The funding the OPW is providing to the Council for nine dedicated staff to address flood risk across the county, and the €14m investment in measures in East Cork is delivering important flood mitigation measures for people and communities,” the Minister said.