Midleton businesses and homeowners can apply for property scheme

An East Cork general election candidate has urged homeowners and businesses to apply for a new interim scheme designed to assist people in Midleton and the surrounding areas affected by last year’s flooding.

The individual property protection (IPP) scheme was launched at the start of the month by the minister of state with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kieran O’Donnell.

A €5.8m funding package has been allocated by the OPW to Cork County Council for the installation of individual property protection measures to 920 homeowners and businesses in Midleton and the wider East Cork area impacted by the October 2023 flooding during Storm Babet.

The announcement was described by the minister as being part of a range of flood relief measures, including the progression by Cork County Council of the planning consent route for the Midleton flood relief scheme through An Bord Pleanála, and the funding of staffing resources for the local authority to deliver those measures.

The IPP scheme involves the use of removable flood protection products that are deployed by a property’s occupier when there is a risk of flooding.

Fine Gael candidate Mark Stanton, who is running in the next general election and hopes to secure the Cork East seat held by his father David since 1997, has urged those affected by Storm Babet to avail of the scheme.

“I encourage everyone affected by the flooding to apply for the scheme as soon as possible,” Mr Stanton said.

“The application window will close on Monday, November 11, and it includes retrospective provisions for those who have already purchased their own flood protection solutions.”

Eligible home and business owners can apply for the IPP Scheme online at Cork County Council’s website at corkcoco.ie, or can contact the council directly at 021 427 6619 or by email at ipp@corkcoco.ie.