Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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330. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of an application for funding by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that no application under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme has been submitted by Clare County Council for the area mentioned in this question. The local authority may proceed to engage consultants using its own resources.

The flood risk in Springfield, Clonlara is being assessed under the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme is the core strategy for addressing significant flood risks nationally. Springfield, Clonlara is one of 66 Areas for Further Assessment (AFA’s) in the Shannon River Basin District being assessed under the Shannon CFRAM study. 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 have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Springfield on 19th November, 2014. Also on 2nd December, 2015 a further event was held to present and discuss preliminary options to manage the assessed flood risks in the Springfield AFA. 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 along the Shannon River Basin District. The draft Plans will include a prioritised list of measures to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. These Plans will be available for public consultation from mid 2016.

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 Plans.

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 are published on the OPW website, . It is not available for repair of damaged infrastructure or for maintenance of existing flood defence or coastal protection assets. It is open to the Council 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 and the Flood Risk Management Plan developed under the CFRAM programme for the area.