Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks nationally, and in the South West River Basin District generally, is the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. There are 27 locations in the South West 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.

Kilgarrylander lies on the northern banks of the River Maine near its estuary. The area does not form part of one the AFAs (Areas for Further Assessment) of potentially significant flood risk that the CFRAM Programme is focussing on, but does lie on a channel downstream of such an area.

As such, draft flood mapping has been produced under the CFRAM Programme for this area, although it is not to the same level of detail as that produced for AFAs. The draft flood maps for this area, which are currently being finalised, are publicly available for viewing through the South Western CFRAM Study website: .

The CFRAM 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. The draft maps are now being finalised following the conclusion of the national statutory public consultation process on 23rd December, 2015.

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. The Plans will include a prioritised list of measures to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. The draft Plans will be available for public consultation from mid 2016.