Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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179. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will introduce a grant scheme to facilitate the provision of flood defence mechanisms for householders and business persons at risk of flood damage, such as flood gates, flood doors, sewerage valves and so on; his views that these mechanisms would have spared many businesses and households from the recent floods if they had been in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45877/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In May of this year the Office of Public Works (OPW) approved funding to Kilkenny County Council to commission consultants to undertake a study and provide a report with recommendations on the feasibility of implementing individual property protection measures in certain areas in that county. I understand that tenders are due back in Kilkenny County Council shortly. It is envisaged that the study may be used as the basis for similar studies in other locations in the country and inform whether and how such measures might be provided in the future.

In July 2015 I reconvened the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group to report to Government by Spring 2016 on possible non structural measure that can support the Flood Risk Management Plans being developed by the OPW under its Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.

This Whole of Government approach to Flood Risk Management is actively considering all possible measures, including individual property protection, that can feasibly support communities, households and businesses, to protect and mitigate their properties from flood risks.

OPW's “Plan Prepare Protect” booklet contains information on flood protection measures for householders and businesses and further information is also available on www.flooding.ie.