Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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346. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address flooding problems at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34978/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is a matter for Kerry County Council, in the first instance, to investigate and address flooding issues in the County. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has no assets in Ballylongford and, therefore, has no direct responsibility in maintaining or improving existing flood defences. However, Ballylongford was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as an area where the flood risk was potentially significant. It is therefore designated as an area for which detailed analysis is being carried out under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study, which the OPW is currently undertaking in partnership with the relevant local authorities including Kerry County Council.

The analysis under the CFRAM project will enable flood maps to be produced in 2014 and the identification of flood risk management options for this area in 2015. There will be public consultation on the draft flood maps within the next couple of months and this will be advertised locally.

Following the significant flood events earlier this year, data collection was undertaken at Ballylongford on flood extents, levels and flood mechanism etc. This information will contribute to calibrating any flood modelling being produced for the town ensuring any future mitigating measures proposed are robust and effective.

If Kerry County Council considers that there are some interim flood protection measures that could be carried out pending the completion of the CFRAM process then it is open to the Council to develop proposals and to submit and application for funding to carry out any such measures under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. It is also open to local authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of work under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment Management Systems in respect of rivers (details supplied) in County Laois; when updated plans will be available and published that the public can act upon in view of the fact that many of the areas listed as liable to flooding are not based on scientific or accurate information; when this matter will be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33173/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Mountrath was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) as a location where flood risk was potentially significant. It is therefore designated as an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) and a detailed assessment is being carried out under the South Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking this in partnership with the relevant local authorities including Laois County Council.

Draft flood maps are currently being produced and there will be public consultation days in Mountrath and other AFAs in the South Eastern CFRAM Study area during the coming months to allow interested parties and members of the public to provide their observations. These will be advertised locally and on the Study website. The next phase in the CFRAM Study will be the options assessment process. Following that, Flood Risk Management Plans will be prepared. Further information and updates on the South Eastern CFRAM Study are available on .