Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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312. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider a temporary barrier at a location (details supplied) in County Galway, to deal with the threat of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22610/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Office of Public Works has no responsibility for the maintenance of any channel at these locations. The investigation of localised flooding problems of this nature is a matter for Galway County Council in the first instance. More generally, flooding problems in Portumna are being assessed under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. Good progress is being made on this Study by the Office of Public Works working with its technical consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders. The national CFRAM Programme is taking a strategic approach that recognises the need, in line with international best practice, to move to a more sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to dealing with flooding problems. Under the CFRAM Programme, work on draft flood maps will be finalised, following public consultation, during 2014 and, following examination of all options to reduce flood risk, Flood Risk Management Plans, including recommendations on both structural and non-structural mitigation measures, are due to be completed in 2015. Further information and updates on the Study are available via the project website .

Pending the completion of the CFRAM study, it is open to Galway County Council to submit an application for funding for mitigation measures under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. It is open to Galway County Council also to undertake mitigation works at this location using its own resources.