Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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78. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of houses by county that experienced flooding in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42522/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) does not systematically gather or collate data on the number of houses which have experienced flooding. The OPW would receive information and data on significant flood events from a number of sources including Local Authorities, the consultants undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) projects on behalf of the OPW and members of the public. Information received by the OPW is used to populate a national database on historic flood events which is available on the website . The format, accuracy and reliability of the flood data submitted has been variable and, in order to try and improve the reliability and usefulness of the information, the OPW recently introduced a set of guidelines for flood data capture in the form of a practical flood data collection handbook. This sets out the type of data that should be collected under a range of headings including details on the Impacts to Property - Residential, Community and Commercial.

This new guidance should help to improve the quality and reliability of information on the impact of flood events which is available on www.floodmaps.ie