Written answers

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Risk Assessments

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the north-west Neagh-Bann catchment flood risk assessment and management study; the date on which the study commenced; the timescale for its completion; if any particular drainage improvement works have been undertaken as a result of that study to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46486/12]

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) appointed engineering consultants, RPS, in March 2012, to undertake the North Western – Neagh Bann CFRAM Study. The study is making good progress and is on target to meet its output targets. Under the study, which involves public consultation at key stages, flood risk and flood hazard maps will be drawn up by December 2013 and Flood Risk Management Plans developed by December 2015, for potentially significant flood risk areas. Further information, in relation to this study, and the CFRAM Programme in general, is available on www.cfram.ie.

The Flood Risk Management Plans will set out measures, both structural and non-structural, to achieve the most cost effective and sustainable management of flood risk and these measures will not be known until the Plans are completed. In the interim, however, the OPW has in place the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme which provides funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including cost benefit ratio. Any proposals for minor works would also have to be considered in the context of their compatibility with any measures likely to emerge from the the CFRAM study and having regards to the availability of resources.

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