Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The core strategy for addressing areas potentially at significant risk from flooding is the OPW's catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme. A total of 300 locations nationwide are being assessed under the programme which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities.

The CFRAM programme is being completed in six study areas, including the eastern catchment flood risk assessment and management study. The programme is the biggest flood risk planning exercise ever undertaken by the State. A national public consultation process on the draft flood maps ended on 23 December 2015. The programme also involves the development of preliminary flood risk management options and flood risk management plans. The statutory public consultation process for the draft flood risk management plans for the eastern CFRAM programme will close on 2 December and the comments received will inform the finalisation of the plans in spring 2017. The plans include a prioritised list of feasible measures, both structural and non-structural.

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