Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department has led a review of the public capital investment needs of the State for the five year period 2016-2020.  The outcome of this review will be set out in the Medium Term Capital Investment Framework Report that will be published when approved by Government.  It will outline the capital envelope decided upon by the Government for the period to 2020 and identify priority areas for investment and ensure that our limited resources are focussed on the areas that can best support continued, sustainable and equitable growth.  We now expect to publish the review in September, after the Government has considered and made its decisions on future capital investment.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 to 81, inclusive, together.

Until all the Flood Risk Management Plans, including the Western CFRAM Plan, are developed it is not possible to state the funding to be made available to implement the measures contained in the plans. As regards prioritisation, those schemes and measures offering the greatest benefit relative to cost will generally be those given the highest priority.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders, in line with national flood policy and the EU Directive (2007/EC/60). The six studies in the current Programme will assess flood risk in 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) deemed to be at potentially significant risk and will produce detailed Flood Maps and Flood Risk Management Plans. The Plans will set out specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors in a proactive and comprehensive way.

Draft flood maps have been produced for the AFAs in the Western CFRAM study area and thirty Public Consultation Day events took place during October and November 2014 on these maps. A national consultation process on the draft maps will take place in the autumn. The study is now progressing to examining all options to reduce flood risk, including both structural and non-structural measures. Public Consultation Days on preliminary options to address flood risk have taken place in a number of AFAs in the Western study area. Following finalisation of the mapping and assessment of appropriate flood risk management options, the final output of this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans.

The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences. The Flood Risk Management Plans will provide the information to estimate the associated costs to implement these measures. Regarding prioritisation, those schemes and measures offering the greatest benefit relative to cost will generally be given the highest priority.

Further information on the Western CFRAM Study is available on the study website,www.westcframstudy.ie.

The Office of Public Works has approved funding of €695,470 to Mayo County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme since 2009. Please see details in the following table:

Under the Government Decision of 11 February 2014, funding of up to €4.205m was allocated to Mayo County Council for repair of public coastal protection infrastructure damaged during the severe weather from 13 December, 2013 to 6 January, 2014. Please see details in the following table: