James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will prepare a national strategy in cooperation with local authorities, for river drainage and maintenance to manage flood risk, with the necessary funding provided for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33932/12]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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As part of a national strategy to address and manage flood risk on a long-term basis, the Office of Public Works is continuing to progress the programme of Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management (CFRAM) Studies, which is due for completion at the end of 2015 in accordance with the EU Floods Directive. The studies will recommend an integrated management plan and prioritised measures to address flood problems in areas where there is significant risk in each major catchment in the country. The role of drainage and maintenance measures in managing flood risk and the responsibilities of the various authorities and agencies in that regard will be addressed, where appropriate, in the plans developed under the CFRAM programme. The local authorities are key stakeholders in the CFRAM programme and are fully involved in the process. The Office of Public Works is responsible for maintaining those channels that form part of OPW schemes carried out under the Arterial Drainage Acts, which drain approximately 20% of the area of the State. Maintenance of other waterways is the responsibility either of state bodies such as local authorities or Waterways Ireland, or of landowners adjoining the channels. Maintenance of watercourses in urban areas that have effectively been wholly or largely incorporated into the urban drainage system is the responsibility of the appropriate local authorities.