No definitive timeline for Cork city flood defence scheme as Morrison's Island progresses

Works on the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Scheme are set to be complete by summer 2026, but the Office of Public Works (OPW) still has no definitive timeline on the flood plan for the rest of the city.

The Morrison’s Island scheme, which will provide flood protection for 400 city centre properties, was split from the wider scheme and advanced along with public realm improvements for the area.

It is envisaged that the Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme will protect some 900 homes and 1200 businesses from flooding. In March of this year, the OPW told The Echo that the cost has risen to €200m and that €16.8m has already been spent.

A spokesperson for OPW said this week: “The OPW does not have powers to expedite flood relief schemes arising from the damage caused by flooding events, and the delivery of all schemes must meet all of the regulatory and planning requirements.

“Since public exhibition, significant legislative changes in the areas of environmental assessment, climate change, and biodiversity have been introduced.

“These changes in legislative and policy frameworks have resulted in a significant body of additional analysis and design work being undertaken.

“In addition, a significant body of work has been undertaken to ensure that the scheme has been considered in the context of the longer-term climate, as well as the city’s immediate needs. This was important as it ensured that the infrastructure delivered now won’t become redundant in future.”

They added: “The OPW and its consultants are now reaching the conclusion of the final revisions to the scheme design, and propose to now provide the people of Cork with a further opportunity to inspect and comment on the latest evolution of the scheme.

“Following a review of these, the scheme will be submitted for statutory consent. While a full programme review is being undertaken, it is expected a further public consultation will be held at the end of this year.

“There have not been delays with the design of this scheme since public exhibition, but there has been significant enhancements to the scheme’s design, against some core principles, given the uniqueness, scale and complexity.”

The scheme will likely go in for planning to the minister for public expenditure, infrastructure, public services, reform, and digitalisation in spring or summer 2026 once the latest round of public consultation is complete.