Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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308. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a decision has been made on the application for minor works by Clare County Council in respect of the Shannon estuary coastal protection works and the Atlantic coastal protection works in County Clare; if not, when decisions will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34568/15]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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309. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the works proposed to be carried out in the minor works application by Clare County Council in respect of the Shannon estuary coastal protection works and the Atlantic coastal protection works will be funded under the Capital Investment Plan 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34569/15]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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310. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform which part of the coastline of County Clare will benefit from coastal protection works that are to be undertaken under the Capital Investment Plan 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34570/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together.

The funding of the proposed works referred to by the Deputy in his question is under consideration by the Office of Public Works in consultation with Clare County Council.

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 Clare County Council. The Programme involves an assessment of 300 locations nationwide including 90 coastal locations, 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 Shannon CFRAM Programme, which covers County Clare, 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 Clare, including its coastline, will be considered for inclusion in the Capital Plan 2016-2021. Public Consultation Days for preliminary flood risk options are scheduled for Kilkee and Kilrush on 20th October and for Ennis, Sixmilebridge, Bunratty, Quin and Shannon on 21st October.

As you may be aware, the OPW approved funding for Clare County Council to undertake coastal erosion risk management studies in respect of 10 coastal locations including Cloughanincy, Doolin (from Crab Island to the mouth of the River Aille), Quilty to Milltown Malbay (with particular focus on each of the three locations; Quilty, Spanish Point and Whitestrand), Miltown Malbay, Liscannor Bay (with particular focus on each of the three locations; Clahane, Liscannor and Lahinch), New Quay (including Aughinish) and Kilbaha. It is a matter for Clare County Council to progress these studies. Any measures that the studies may recommend will require further consideration and no commitment in relation to funding any such measures can be given at this stage.