52. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the up-to-date position on advancing the Crookstown flood relief scheme; if the local authority has contacted the OPW in relation to securing the additional funding required for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74882/26]

The River Bride overtops its banks both upstream and downstream of Crookstown Bridge during flood events, affecting residential properties and local and regional roads. The 2014 Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme examined the flood risk at Crookstown but did not identify a viable major flood relief scheme.

In 2021, the OPW approved funding of €295,027 to Cork County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for interim mitigation works at Crookstown. These works included drainage improvements, a storm water pumping station and associated works, and were intended to mitigate flood damage pending consideration of further options.

Cork County Council has advised that it was engaging with its consultants to develop further works at Crookstown. While the OPW has not received a request from Cork County Council for additional funding in relation to the proposed further works, any future application would be considered in accordance with the revised criteria for this Scheme, that I announced in May this year. The revised criteria has relaxed some of the previous qualifying criteria, including economic benefits and has increased the funding thresholds to €2m and OPW’s contribution to 95% for funding amounts greater than €300,000.