Weather Events
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-28
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Kevin Boxer Moran (IND), Longford-Westmeath

I am aware of the devastating impact flooding had on homeowners, businesses and the communities of Midleton and across east Cork during Storm Babet. While the issue raised is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, my office in October 2025 corresponded directly with the Willowbank residents' association secretary, following contact between my office and Cork County Council. Cork County Council advised the OPW that funding had been made available to the council by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to assist with the repair of damaged infrastructure across east Cork following Storm Babet. Cork County Council further advised that the repair of the wall at Willowbank, which was commenced by the residents, was completed using this funding.
The strategic emergency management framework sets out the emergency management practice at national level and designates lead Departments for a range of emergency types. Under this framework, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage leads the response to severe weather events through the national directorate for fire and emergency management. Accordingly, there is no emergency response funding mechanism available in the OPW that would see emergency response actions such as those undertaken by citizens in Willowbank being refunded by my office. The Government is fully committed to providing support through the national development plan, providing €58 million for the Midleton flood relief scheme. A planning application is estimated to be submitted by Cork County Council to An Coimisiún Pleanála in quarter 3 of 2026 and be completed by 2031, protecting up to 750 properties that flooded during Storm Babet. The scheme will protect Willowbank residents going forward.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-28