Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funds spent to date on producing catchment flood risk assessment and management study flood maps; if he is aware that insurance companies are ignoring such maps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25538/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is focused on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (or “AFAs”) countrywide, and 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); and flood Risk Management Plans (for finalisation 2016). Draft predictive flood mapping has been produced and public consultation days have been held in the various communities. The draft maps are currently available for inspection on the individual study websites via and members of the public may provide feedback on same. The draft flood maps are for the purpose of consultation only and should not be used for any other purpose or decision making process. They are likely to be updated, refined or changed before finalisation. 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.

Total expenditure on the CFRAM Programme over the period 2005 to date is €33 million covering the pilot studies, aerial and topographical surveying, the current ongoing engineering studies and other related expenses.

The Office of Public Works has no role or function in relation to oversight or regulation of the insurance industry. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they are prepared to accept on a case by case basis. Since June 2014, the OPW has provided Insurance Ireland with data on sixteen completed OPW flood defence schemes in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the OPW and Insurance Ireland. Insurance Ireland members take this data into account when assessing exposure to flood risk within these areas. When finalised, the CFRAM predictive flood maps and flood risk management plans will be publicly available.