489. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 269 and 270 of 30 April 2026, to outline separately the current cost of the Midleton Flood Relief Project in addition to the cost of the East Cork Individual Property Protection Scheme; if it is envisaged that the cost of the Midleton Flood Relief Project is likely to increase before works completion and handover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34314/26]

Funding for the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme is part of the Government’s commitment to deliver flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.

The current total project budget for the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme is estimated at some €50 million. This is based on a preliminary design. The budget for all flood relief schemes is updated as the details of the scheme's design evolves and progresses to construction. The total expenditure to date on the scheme is some €6.8m.

As the design of the preferred option for the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme is due to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála, by Cork County Council, in Q3 2026, a revised estimate of the total project budget is being undertaken. This is a requirement of the Infrastructure Guidelines and to inform an approval to proceed to planning by the Office of Public Works (OPW), as Approving Authority.

Funding of €5.8 million was approved in October 2024 by the OPW for the Midleton and East Cork Individual Property Protection (IPP) Scheme. The total expenditure to date on the IPP scheme is some €2m.