Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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383. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware of the flood levels at the Little Brosna, especially at Riverstown in County Tipperary; his plans to liaise with Offaly County Council and Tipperary County Council to seek a solution to avert dangerous water levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21946/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking, in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders, the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. This is 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. The CFRAM Programme, which is focused on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (or “AFAs”) countrywide, is the principal vehicle for implementing national policy on flood risk management and the European Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risk (2007/EC/60). Further information is available on the Programme website .

In brief, the CFRAM Programme has three principal milestones:

- Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (Completed 2011)

- Predictive Flood Mapping (for finalisation 2015)

- Flood Risk Management Plans (for finalisation 2016)

Draft predictive flood mapping for Birr, Co. Offaly, which incorporates flood mapping for Riverstown, Co. Tipperary and part of the Little Brosna, has been produced by engineering consultants under the Shannon CFRAM Study. A Public Consultation Day on the draft flood maps was held in Birr on 12th November, 2014. The draft flood maps are currently available for inspection on the Study website and members of the public may provide feedback on same. A national statutory consultation is due to be held later this summer. All feedback received during the draft flood maps consultation period will form part of the process of finalisation of the flood maps.

Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the assessment of appropriate flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.

The Little Brosna river itself is part of a Drainage District, day to day responsibility for the maintenance of which lies with the Local Authorities in question, Tipperary and Offaly County Councils.