Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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72. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address the flooding issue in Ahascragh, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38476/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Ahascragh River forms part of the Ahascragh River Drainage District for which the responsibility for maintenance rests with the relevant local authority, in this case Galway County Council. Under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, as amended, all local authorities are required to provide to the Office of Public Works (OPW) an annual report in respect of the condition of the Drainage Districts within their care. The report for the year ended 31st December, 2013, submitted by Galway County Council, shows that the Council expended €15,000 on maintaining the district, which involved general channel maintenance in the Clonbrock area.

The OPW approved funding of €45,000 to Galway County Council in 2010 under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for channel cleaning works at Ahascragh. The Council has fully drawn down this funding and these works are complete. The OPW is currently reviewing a further Minor Works Scheme application submitted by the Council in respect of Ahascragh. Any application received under the Minor Works Scheme is assessed under the eligibility criteria of the Scheme, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. It is open to Galway County Council to carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources.

Ahascragh 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 Galway 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.