Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management on 17^thOctober issued a severe weather notice to all Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams. The local authorities as Principal Response Agencies activated their Crisis Management Teams.

Heavy and persistent rain over southern counties on Tuesday 17^thOctober and Wednesday 18^thOctober, combined with already saturated soils and extremely high river levels, caused a number of rivers to break their banks.

East Cork bore some of the worst impacts from this flooding. In Midleton, the Owenacurra River rose at an unprecedented rate and broke its banks at two locations causing significant flood damage to the town with more than 100 properties flooded. At its peak, Midleton Main Street saw floodwaters of in excess of 1 metre depth requiring the evacuation of dwellings and commercial properties in the town. People displaced by the floodwaters were given shelter at a local hotel and temporary rest centres at the Midleton Community centre and local Gaelscoil. Across East Cork and other local authority’s areas, the local authority staff, An Garda Siochanna, Civil Defence, the Defence Forces and the Irish Coastguard worked to provide an emergency response to those affected.

The flooding from this event had wide and devastating impacts including, evacuating people from their homes, widespread rolling road closures, and cancelling of school transport and power outages.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection was activated on the 19^thOctober 2023 to support households in Midleton and other affected areas.

In addition, Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, opened two Emergency Business Flooding Schemes for small businesses, sports clubs, community, and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by the recent flooding in Cork and other counties. These schemes provide humanitarian support contributions towards the costs of returning small businesses, sporting, voluntary and community premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant. Financial assistance of up to a maximum of €100,000 may be made available to those who are eligible for the Enhanced Emergency Business Flooding Scheme.

In addition to the humanitarian assistance, financial assistance by way of low-cost loans was immediately available from Microfinance Ireland to small businesses that cannot get loan financing from other lenders. Loan options include cash-flow loans of up to €25,000, which can be used for general business purposes including re-stocking and other business costs. Loans for capital expenditure are also available which could fund the refurbishment of premises or the replacement of equipment.

The Government has assessed the flood risk for many communities affected by recent flood events. Through €1.3bn investment in flood relief schemes, under the National Development Plan the Government has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction, including a scheme for Midleton.

Cork County Council is leading the design of the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme and in 2017 appointed engineering and environmental consultants. Major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact on people's living, built and natural environment.

The process follows a number of stages from feasibility through design, planning, detailed design and construction. It is important that the work is done correctly and achieves its objectives. Extensive and detailed technical analysis is required to establish the most appropriate solution, technically and environmentally, from a range of possible mitigation options. The solution has also to be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change. Extensive public consultation is also carried out at various stages to ensure that those affected by a scheme have the opportunity to input into its design and implementation.

Midelton has proven to be one of the most complex schemes. It has flood risks from four sources, fluvial, tidal, groundwater and pluvial. In 2017, data did not exist on all sources and monitoring was required over a number of years to allow the flooding mechanism to be understood. The preferred scheme has now been identified with a total project budget of €50m and when complete will provide a robust solution for Midleton, supported by strong evidence, has the support of the community and is future proofed and adaptable to climate change scenarios and will provide protection to 580 properties.

At this time an assessment of the recent flood event is being undertaken and will take some weeks to conclude. This will provide further evidence to support the preferred option for a scheme for Midelton and will allow the planning process for this scheme to commence.