merrion street

Minister Kevin "Boxer" Moran T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Flood Relief was in Cork today (25th July) to visit flood relief schemes and review progress on major flooding programmes in both Cork City and County, which will benefit from some €300 million in total of Government funding for projects already completed, under construction currently and planned.
Minister “Boxer” Moran met with officials from Cork City Council who are working with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to bring forward the planned Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme which will see €140 million invested in flood relief funding in the heart of the City. It is estimated that the 2009 flood event alone cost householders and businesses about €90m. The Minister also met with business representatives and with local residents to hear at first-hand how they have been impacted by flooding in the City. The planned scheme will protect businesses and other property owners from the 1 in 100 year fluvial (river) flood event and the 1 in 200 year tidal flood, protecting 2,100 properties. Minister “Boxer” Moran also met with representatives from the Save Cork City campaign group in order to hear their views on the proposals.
The Minister is also visiting flood relief schemes underway in Bandon and Skibbereen representing a combined investment of over €50m and which will protect 670 properties with work set to be complete by 2019. He will also meet with local interests in Clonakilty in relation to the flood relief scheme due to commence later this year in that town.