Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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185. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has had discussion with a company (details supplied) which has designed and manufactured a flexible and adaptable barrier-type solution to deal with flooding, which has been adapted and utilised in other countries; if he will ensure that appropriate discussions are held with a view to examining this as a solution to protecting homes and properties, given the ongoing annual flooding difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45799/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is aware of the company as well as a range of other companies that supply similar types of products and other flood defence solutions.

The products offered by this company would be more suitable for deployment in an emergency response to a flood. As Local Authorities are the primary response agencies in flood situations, this company's products would, more likely, be deployed by such bodies rather than the OPW.

In July 2015 I reconvened the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group to report to Government, by Spring 2016, on possible non-structural measures, that will support the Flood Risk Management Plans being developed by the OPW under its ongoing 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