Written answers

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Prevention Measures

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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287. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the work that will be carried out in an area (details supplied) in County Meath to prevent further flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34187/15]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The area concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the flooding in the area, nor any authority to carry out any works there.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Meath County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.

The Office of Public Works operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial are published on the OPW website, . It is not available for repair of damaged infrastructure or for maintenance of existing flood defence or coastal protection assets. It is open to the Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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288. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will expedite a number of reports commissioned by the Office of Public Works regarding flooding in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34473/15]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ramelton is one of the 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. Ramelton is an area for further assessment (AFA) within the North West – Neagh Bann (NW-NB) CFRAM project.

The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the Local Authorities, involves the production of predictive flood risk and hazard mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and flood risk management plans.

The Plans which are schedule for completion by the end of 2016 will set out the feasible measures to address the assessed predictive flood risk for Ramelton.

Further information on the NW-NB study is available on the study website: .

Photo of Gabrielle McFaddenGabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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289. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when funding will be allocated to complete the flood prevention works at Meelick in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34553/15]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The area of Shannon Harbour, including Banagher and Meelick, is one of 300 areas nationwide that is being assessed under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. The Programme involves the production of predictive flood risk and hazard mapping for each location, developing preliminary flood risk management options and producing flood risk management plans. Under the Shannon CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps for the Shannon Harbour area, including Banagher and Meelick, have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Shannon Harbour on 10th February 2015. The flood maps will be finalised following a national public consultation scheduled to be held later in 2015. Work on the development of preliminary flood risk management options for the Shannon Harbour area, including Banagher and Meelick, is underway. Local public consultation on the Preliminary Options will take place during the coming months. Further information is available on the Shannon CFRAM Study website .

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