Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

331. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address the local flooding in Killarney (details supplied) and potential dredging solutions to prevent future flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17059/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Local flooding issues are, in the first instance, a matter for each local authority to investigate and address. They may carry out flood alleviation works from their own resources or apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

The scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which comprise economic, social and environmental criteria including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

The core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks nationally is the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Killarney is one of 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. The Lake Hotel, Lake Shore, Muckross Road, is not within the Killarney AFA boundary whilst Glenflesk is an AFA under the CFRAM Programme.

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. Under the South West CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps for Killarney have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Killarney on 23rd October, 2015. A further Public Consultation Day was held in Killarney on 8th December, 2015 to present and discuss preliminary options to manage the significant flood risks.

The draft flood mapping is now being finalised following completion of the national statutory public consultation on 23rd December, 2015. Work on the development of preliminary options to address flood risk is underway. Following finalisation of the mapping and the identification of flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. The draft Plans are scheduled to be made available for public consultation from mid-2016. Following the public consultation process the finalised Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner.

The Government recently announced increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration of measures arising from the Flood Risk Management Plans.