Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures that will be taken to ensure that flooding in an area (details supplied) are minimised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2655/12]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which is designed to identify and assess areas, both coastal and inland, at risk of significant flooding.

The purpose of the Programme is to:

§ To assess and map existing and potential future flood risk, through the identification of flood hazard areas and the associated impacts of flooding;

§ To identify viable structural and non-structural measures and options for managing the flood risks for localised high-risk areas and within the catchment as a whole, and,

§ To prepare a strategic Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan (CFRMP) and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) that set out the measures and policies that should be pursued by the OPW, the Local Authorities and other stakeholders to achieve the most cost effective and sustainable management of flood risk within the catchment.

Engineering Consultants RPS have been engaged to undertake the Eastern CFRAM Study, this is currently under way and will cover the River Camac.

In advance of the Study being completed, the OPW has been liaising, and is continuing to liaise, with Dublin City Council with a view to identifying feasible measures to mitigate the flood risk from the River Camac in the short-term.

In this regard, it is open to the council to submit a funding application to this Office under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake measures to address small scale localised flooding problems within their administrative areas, for which straightforward solutions can be identified and implemented within a short time frame. Any application received will be considered having regard to the scheme eligibility criteria and the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

The Deputy should note that pluvial flooding due to blocked or under capacity urban storm water drains, is the responsibility of Dublin City Council.