Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans and the level of negotiations he has had with the various interested parties to alleviate flooding along the River Shannon and in the town of Athlone. [5157/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks nationally, 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 17th February 2015. The draft maps will be finalised in 2016 following the conclusion of the national statutory public consultation process on 23rd December, 2015.

Two Public Consultation Days were held in Athlone on 17th December 2015 and 11th February, 2016 to present and discuss preliminary options to manage the significant flood risks. 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, follow the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of preliminary flood risk management options. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.

In addition, the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group which was established to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon has conducted an audit of the roles and responsibilities of State Agency organisations and has published its Shannon Flood Risk Work Programme for 2016. This Work Programme which is available on www.opw.iesets out actions and activities to manage flood risk for the Shannon catchment.

The Working Group is examining a process for wider consultation. The Group is also considering the development of appropriate guidance that will set out more clearly the rights and responsibilities of non-statutory bodies.

The Office of Public Works operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. It is not available for repair of damaged infrastructure or for maintenance of existing flood defence or coastal protection assets. It is open to a County Council pending the finalisation of the CFRAM Programme to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

It is also open to County Councils to carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources.