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. Any further Public Consultation Days will be advertised locally and Stakeholders will be notified by the OPW’s consultants of any workshops on the Shannon CFRAM study.

Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of preliminary flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified in the Shannon River Basin District. 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 is to hold an open day on 5 May, 2016 in Athlone to discuss its published Work Programme for 2016. Further details on the open day will be announced shortly.