Midleton and East Cork Individual Property Protection (IPP) Scheme

Individual Property Protection (IPP) involves the use of removeable flood protection products which are deployed by the property owner/occupier when there is a risk of flooding to mitigate against the adverse consequences for properties at risk of flooding.  IPP measures can reduce or mitigate the damage caused to contents, furniture and fittings in a house or business, but are not effective in all situations.

There are a number of different types of IPP products available.  This scheme will deliver IPP measures to mitigate flood risk associated with the entry of flood waters through external door openings and where necessary through standard air vents.

Part of this scheme will include for an engineer’s assessment of an applicant’s property to determine:

• if a property is suitable for IPP measures in full, or part, or not suitable, and 
• Specify suitable IPP for properties deemed suitable, and
• Specify builders’ works/accommodation works for properties to facilitate IPP use as appropriate.

Properties in Midleton and East Cork which flooded during Storm Babet (18/10/2023) will be deemed eligible.

In some cases, applicants may be asked to provide proof of flooding during Storm Babet to support their application.  Suitable proof might include photographic evidence or correspondence with insurers regarding flood damage.

The Cork County Council portal for applications will open on 7th October 2024 at 12pm, and will close on the 18th of November 2024 at 12pm.

It is expected that the suitability assessments will be completed by the end of January 2025. We would expect that the delivery of the Individual Property Protection (IPP) will commence in early 2025. The delivery timeline for the scheme is dependent on the level of uptake of the scheme and the market response. Tender processes are required to appoint Consultants and Contractors, in addition to the purchase of the IPP equipment.

Yes, the scheme will require applicants to accept the terms and conditions which will be provided during the application process and on the following link: Terms and Conditions.

Property owners should be aware of the following:

• While the provision of IPP will reduce the risk of flooding, it is a mitigation measure and there are no guarantees that water will not breach the IPP or enter the property through another route.
• In the event of a flood risk event, it will be the property owner’s responsibility to erect the IPP measure(s).
• Maintenance of the IPP measure(s) will be the responsibility of the property owners.
• CCC/OPW has no liability for any flooding which occurs in a property.
• IPP may not be recognised by the Insurance Industry as flood protection for the purposes of insurance.

This scheme is being rolled out for properties in Midleton and East Cork which were flooded during Storm Babet (18/10/2023).  

Cork County Council is actively involved in the delivery of major and minor flood mitigation projects across County Cork.  The delivery of IPP schemes at other locations is being be kept under review.

CCC will appoint an engineering consultancy to carry out the independent engineering assessment of every property. An engineer from the appointed firm will contact you directly to arrange a suitable time for the assessment.

CCC will issue tender packs to consultants in a timely manner as property owners apply online. Engineering Consultancy firms will be given 1 month to complete and return the engineering reports for all properties in the tender pack.

Only builders’ works related directly to IPP installation and the cost of the purchase of the IPP equipment will be covered by the scheme. Works carried out, and/or IPP purchased by Applicants before 18th October 2023 or after 7th October 2024 will not be covered by this scheme.

For property owners/occupiers deemed eligible for reimbursement for IPP related builders’ work and/or the purchase of IPP, payment will be arranged through bank transfer up to a maximum of €3,900 inclusive of VAT for residential properties. In the case of Business Applicants, where the IPP cost exceeded this amount, the limit on reimbursement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The economies of scale available when purchasing IPP equipment as part of the CCC delivered main Scheme will provide better cost effectiveness for the State.

Cork County Council intends to provide IPP to all Council Properties, deemed suitable following engineer’s assessment.

For Approved Housing Body managed properties, please contact your AHB for guidance.

CCC will require a letter from your landlord that they are in agreement for any accommodation works required to be undertaken, and IPP installed.

Cork County Council have launched an online application portal on the following link: 'Click to Apply'.  Applicants will need to create an account on the online portal in order to apply.

Applicants who require assistance in registering can contact Cork County Council by telephone at (021) 438 6619 or email ipp@corkcoco.ie.

• The initial stage in the application process will require the property owner to accept the terms and conditions of the scheme. 
• The Applicant will then submit some details of the property and its location.
• If the property is deemed eligible for the Scheme, CCC will arrange for an independent engineer to carry out a suitability assessment of the property. 
• The engineer’s report will conclude if a property is suitable for IPP measures in full, or part, or not suitable, and also if builder’s works/ accommodation works are required. 
• For properties for which retrospective payments have been applied for, the engineer’s report will include an assessment of the suitability of the IPP purchased between October 18th, 2023 and 7th October, 2024, and any builder’s work/accommodation works undertaken to facilitate installation of same. This assessment will conclude as to the adequacy of the IPP to mitigate flooding and whether the Applicant is eligible for a retrospective payment.

The following paragraphs outline the next stages for the Main and Retrospective elements of the Scheme.

Main Scheme (available to eligible properties who apply from 7th October 2024– 18th November 2024

• CCC will buy the required IPP products and appoint a contractor, where necessary to carry out any building works/accommodation works required to the property to allow for installation of the IPP. 
• A CCC team will be in contact with the property owner throughout the process to make arrangements for contractor visits as necessary and delivery of IPP.

Retrospective scheme (IPP purchased and works completed between 18th October 2023 – 7th October 2024)

The grant will reimburse property owners up to a maximum sum once the independent Engineer confirms that the  IPP and any works completed by the property owner are to an acceptable standard. 

In the case of residential properties the maximum amount reimbursable is €3,900 including VAT. Applications from Business Owners, which include reimbursement requests which exceed €3,900 including VAT, will be considered on a case by case basis.

For CCC to reimburse the property owner an additional stage of the application must be completed online.

The property owner is required to submit all the invoices associated with the IPP works and equipment.  Eligible costs will be:

• for the IPP products
• for IPP related contractor/builder fees. 

The property owner will be required to provide bank details to facilitate payment. Note this form must be stamped by the applicant’s bank.

Cork County Council will review the invoices, bank detail forms, and reimburse payment up the appropriate maximum grant amount.

Met Éireann is the leading provider of weather information including weather alerts in Ireland and as such Cork County Council recommends that the property owner should sign up to the “Met Éireann Weather Warning Alert System” which will alert the property owner to a weather warning relating to status Yellow, Orange or Red. The property owner should go to Met Éireann Weather Warning Alert System and follow the instructions to register for this service.

Cork County Council recommends that along with the weather alert system from Met Eireann you shall review all the relevant information available regarding tides and/or river levels to inform you when to install the IPP.”