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

34. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make available funds for the dredging of the Laune and Flesk Rivers in County Kerry to alleviate flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19564/16]

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

Neither the Laune nor the Flesk rivers form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of these rivers.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Kerry County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. 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 open to the Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme's eligibility criteria.

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. Glenflesk and Killarney are two of 27 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) in the South West River Basin District being assessed under the South West 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 South West CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps have been produced and were the subject of Public Consultation Days in Glenflesk on 21st October, 2014 and in Killarney on 23rd October, 2014. In addition, Public Consultation Days were held in Glenflesk and Killarney on 8th December, 2015 to present and discuss preliminary options to manage the assessed flood risks in these AFAs. 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 South West 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.