Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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870. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24682/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The core strategy for addressing significant flood risks nationally is the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Killarney is one of 27 locations (AFAs) 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 area referred to in the Deputy’s question is not within the Killarney AFA boundary.

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 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. Public Consultation Days were held in Killarney on 23 October 2015 on the draft maps, on 8 December 2015 on preliminary options and on 5 September, 2016 on the draft plans.

The draft plans for the South Western River Basin District are available for Statutory Public Consultation from 15 July, 2016 to 23 September, 2016. Further details are available on the dedicated consultation website www.opw.ie/FloodPlans. Copies of the draft plans, related Environmental Assessments and an information leaflet are available at the principal offices of each local authority. Submissions on the draft plans can be made in writing to Draft Flood Risk Management Plans Consultation, Engineering Services, OPW HQ, Jonathan Swift St., Trim, Co. Meath or by email to draftplans@opw.ie.

Following this public consultation process, the draft plans will be finalised taking on board the comments received. The finalised plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, that can address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. The plans, when finalised, will be sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for approval.

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.