Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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66. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to ensure that the local knowledge of residents regarding patterns of flooding in their areas is taken into account as part of the medium-term and long-term efforts to deal with the flooding problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1941/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which is implementing the 2007 EU Floods Directive requirements, is completing detailed assessment of 300 areas at potentially significant risk 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, which provides opportunities for interested persons to convey local flooding knowledge and the preferred solution, is a key element of the CFRAM Programme. To date this has involved:

- a public consultation to inform the designation of the 300 areas, that include 90 coastal areas; and

- meeting in person with each of these 300 communities to explain the assessed and predictive flood risks and their impact for their areas and importantly to get their local knowledge and insight. Separately a national consultation on flood risk maps finished on 23 December 2015;

- public consultation in person on options for each community is underway and will be complete in the coming weeks.

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. Members of the public may also contact the individual CFRAM Study engineering consultants by phone, post or email. Further details are available via www.cfram.ie.

When the OPW commences a major flood relief scheme there are opportunities, through local public information days, for the public to make observations on any emerging proposals. After the outline design of the preferred scheme is completed, a statutory four-week public exhibition is held followed by a month for submissions by interested parties.