Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions the Office of Public Works has taken following the environmental impact statement report on the Dunkellin River and Aggard Stream flood relief scheme prepared by the RPS Group and published in October 2014, the progress on these actions, the reason for the delay in implementing the recommendations, the recommendations that have been rejected and the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45325/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Galway County Council (GCC) is the Contracting Authority with overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the Dunkellin River and Aggard Stream Flood Relief Scheme, which is being funded by the Office of Public Works.

GCC appointed the Engineering and Environmental Consultants needed to complete the design and to attain the necessary statutory permissions for the scheme which is being progressed through An Bord Pleanála (ABP) under the Strategic Infrastructure Act. I should point out that any queries the Deputy may have in relation to the Environmental Impact Statement and its implementation should be addressed to the Council.

I am however, advised that GCC and their consultants finalised the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) for the Scheme in October 2014. The scheme was submitted to An Bord Pleanála for consideration in November 2014 for planning approval in line with Section 175 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. A number of submissions from interested parties were received by An Bord Pleanála in relation to the proposals and the Board issued a request for further information (RFI) to GCC on 2nd March 2015.

The Council requested an extension of time in which to respond to the Board's request and the period for response was extended to 10th July 2015. In light of the significant additional data submitted by the Council, An Bord Pleanála requested that both the Statutory Authorities who were advised of the Planning Application and the general public be made aware of the additional information and that further submissions or observations could be made to the Board within a specific time frame. An Oral Hearing on the proposed scheme commenced on Tuesday 27th October 2015. The hearing concluded on Tuesday the 3rd of November 2015 and An Bord Pleanála has indicated that it would be making a decision on the application as expeditiously as possible.

We must wait for An Bord Pleanála to issue its determination on the proposals but, subject to this, I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains fully committed to the provision of a flood relief scheme for the Dunkellin River and Aggard Stream and the OPW has made provision for the cost of implementing the scheme in its Multi-Annual Budget Profiles into the future.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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190. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to advance the flood relief scheme promised for residents in the Clonbonny, Parnell Square, Deerpark and the Strand areas of Athlone, County Westmeath, which have been subject to the threat of flooding and the destruction of their properties, businesses and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45406/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks in Athlone and in the Shannon River Basin District generally, is the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Athlone is one of 66 locations in the Shannon River Basin District and 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Programme the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. 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 mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans. Under the Shannon CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps for Athlone have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Athlone on 17 February 2015. The draft maps are scheduled to be finalised following the national statutory consultation process, which is currently under way until 23 December, 2015. Details are available at the Civic Offices, Church St., Athlone, and on the consultation website

A further Public Consultation Day will be held in Athlone this week on Thursday 17 December 2015 to present and discuss preliminary flood risk management options to manage the flood risk. Further information is available on the Shannon CFRAM Study website www.shannoncframstudy.ie.

Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of preliminary 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 in the Shannon River Basin District. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.

Westmeath County Council had submitted applications to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in 2010 for flood mitigation measures for Athlone. While funding was approved for measures at The Strand, other applications were not cost beneficial and it was considered that all flood relief measures for Athlone as a whole, be progressed under the CFRAM Programme.