Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Finance his assessment of the impact on the economy of the flooding that has occurred in recent weeks in November 2009; his assessment of the long-term investment strategy needed to reduce flooding risks in the affected areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44771/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The scale and magnitude of the flooding that has occurred over the past two weeks have not been seen before in living memory. They have resulted in widespread misery and devastation. People have been forced from their homes, farms have been overrun by water and businesses have had to cease operations. Every sector of the economy has been adversely affected. All efforts at present are primarily focused on responding to the immediate crisis. Emergency response teams including the Defence Forces, local authorities, the Gardai, Civil Defence and voluntary groups are busy working either to erect temporary flood defences, to evacuate people from their homes, to restore drinking water to homes or to provide clothing to flood victims. While there is some evidence of water receding in some areas, others remain on flood alert. Once the immediate crisis has passed and the situation starts to improve, attention will switch to the clean-up phase and to restoring displaced people to their homes.

It is only when some degree of normality is restored that the job of assessing the full scale of the damage that has been caused can be seriously addressed. However, even at this early stage, it is clear that the economic and social damage has been substantial. Already, some insurance industry sources are speculating that the cost of flooding damage to homes and businesses around the country may exceed €250 million. The cost to the insurance industry of one of the most recent significant flooding events (in August 2008), was of the order of €100 million.

Following the Review of Flood Policy in 2004, the OPW was assigned lead agency responsibility for the management of flood risk. Central to the policy is a Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which focuses on the assessment of flood risk and the long-term planning of the flood risk management measures throughout the country, including non-structural and structural measures.

The CFRAM Programme is being delivered through the CFRAM Studies, led by the OPW but undertaken in partnership with local authorities and in consultation with stakeholders and the public. The CFRAM Studies are comprehensive catchment-based studies focused on areas of potentially significant risk, for which detailed flood maps are produced and flood risk management measures are assessed and taken to outline design. These measures will be prioritised and set out in a Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP). The CFRAM Programme will, as well as delivering on national policy, meet the requirements of the EU 'Floods' Directive that came into force in November 2007. The procurement process for the national programme of CFRAM Studies has been initiated, and the studies will commence in 2010.

In addition, OPW has programmes of major and minor capital works to address existing areas at risk from flooding, and a range of non-structural initiatives which have been brought forward by OPW in order to mitigate the effects of flooding. These initiatives include, a Public Awareness Programme, and flood mapping information and guidelines with D/EHLG on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management issued earlier this week.