Interim measures aimed at protecting 920 East Cork homes and businesses from flooding announced

Interim measures to protect 920 homes and businesses in Midleton have been announced while the wider the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed.

Some €5.8m in funding has been allocated from the Office of Public Works (OPW) to Cork County Council for the installation of Individual Property Protection measures to some 920 homeowners and businesses impacted by the October 2023, flood event during Storm Babet, across Midleton and East Cork.

The announcement is part of a suite of flood relief announcements, including progressing the Planning Consent Route for the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme by Cork County Council through An Bord Pleanála and the funding of staffing resources for Cork County Council to deliver these measures.

OPW Minister Kieran O’Donnell said:  “I have seen at first hand the devastation caused by Storm Babet and met with the impacted homeowners and businesses in Midleton and across East Cork. Since my appointment in April, I have together with my officials met and worked with the Chief Executive and senior management team of Cork County Council to identify the most efficient way of delivering the flood relief scheme for Midleton and until completed, the interim measures to reduce the risk and impact of flooding for Midleton and East Cork.” 

The Minister said “the Individual Property Protection scheme is being made available to those who were so badly impacted by Storm Babet in Midleton and East Cork and will provide reassurance, until the flood relief schemes are completed, by mitigating flood risk in these communities. The Office of Public Works is making funding available to Cork County Council to ensure IPP is available and accessible at no cost to homeowners and businesses”.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell added, “We have been working closely with the Office of Public Works to mitigate against the risk of flooding in Midleton and across the wider East Cork area. We have and continue to deliver interim measures and are working to progress the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme. While these measures are being implemented, we have also secured funding from the OPW to deliver this Individual Property Protection Scheme.” The Minister further announced funding from the OPW to Cork County Council for additional staffing resources to enable the assignment of a dedicated team to the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme.

Minister O’Donnell added: “I and my officials will continue to work with Cork County Council in advancing these important flood relief projects for the people of Midleton and East Cork.”