Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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304. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding from the allocation of €430 million for flood prevention in the capital programme 2016 to 2020 that will be spent in County Mayo; the specific projects involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34421/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme throughout the country. The Programme is being progressed by engineering consultants, on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities including Mayo County Council. The Programme involves an assessment of 300 mainly urban locations nationwide, the mapping of potentially significant flood risk areas and the production of flood risk management options and plans as required by the EU Floods Directive. Currently, the Western CFRAM Programme, which covers County Mayo, is holding Public Consultation Days for preliminary flood risk management options. These preliminary options will inform the Flood Risk Management Plans which will also be subject to public consultation. When the Plans are completed and the options identified, the OPW will be in a better position to indicate what specific areas, if any, of County Mayo will be considered for inclusion in the Capital Plan 2016-2021.

As you may be aware, the OPW is currently progressing the design of a flood relief scheme for Crossmolina. A preferred option is currently being finalised which is then expected to be formally exhibited early in 2016 under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. Until a Cost Benefit Analysis has been completed on the emerging preferred option it will not be possible to say what the funding required for this Scheme will be. However, I can confirm that the funding for the scheme will be met from within the €430m capital envelope 2016 – 2021.

The OPW 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 Mayo County 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. The funding required for the operation of the minor works scheme will be met from within the capital envelope of €430m for 2016 – 2021.