Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The core strategy to address significant flood risks nationally is the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. The current CFRAM Programme, which comprises a number of regional studies based on River Basin Districts, has assessed 300 areas identified as areas at significant risk and impact from flooding. 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.

Public consultation is a key element of the CFRAM Programme. A national public consultation process took place during 2011 as part of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment which resulted in confirmation of the locations to designated for further assessment under the regional CFRAM Studies. A nationwide programme of local Public Consultation Days on the draft Flood Mapping was undertaken over the period October 2013 to April 2015. The draft Flood Mapping will be finalised shortly following the conclusion of the national statutory consultation on 23 December 2015. A nationwide programme of local Public Consultation Days on the Preliminary Flood Risk Management Options development phase of the Study commenced in September 2015 and will conclude during the coming weeks in the Shannon CFRAM study area and in the remaining five regional CFRAM Study areas in Spring 2016. The publication of draft Flood Risk Management Plans, scheduled for summer 2016, will be followed by further programmes of consultation before the Plans are finalised.

In addition to the above, members of the public may contact the individual CFRAM Study consultants by phone, post or email. Further details are available via www.cfram.ie.

When the OPW undertakes a major flood relief scheme there are opportunities for the public to make observations on any emerging proposals. There are generally two non-statutory local public information days held for a scheme as it is being developed. After the outline design of the preferred scheme is completed, a statutory public exhibition is held. The scheme documents are placed on display in a local venue, as well as local authority offices, for a four week period. During this time there are attendance days advertised when members of the design team are available to meet the public to discuss matters pertaining to the scheme. Interested parties then have a further month to make submissions which have to be considered by the OPW and replied to before the Scheme is approved.

The OPW does not have a statutory role in the planning process which is a matter for the local authority concerned and, where appropriate, An Bord Pleanála.