Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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921. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the OPW is not taking responsibility for the River Erne in the constituency of Cavan/Monaghan; the funding measures that can be accessed to clean this river and alleviate flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25841/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have an Arterial Drainage Scheme on the River Erne and has therefore no responsibility for channel maintenance in this area.

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 OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor works 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. Details are published on the OPW website www.opw.ie.

The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding, is the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. 300 locations nationwide are being assessed under the Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities. It 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.

In relation to the River Erne system, Cavan Town is an Area of Further Assessment (AFA) being assessed as part of the North Western-Neagh Bann CFRAM Study. Those parts of the Erne system which affect Cavan Town have been modelled, mapped and assessed for options to manage flood risk. Public consultation events were held in Cavan Town on 19 February 2015 on the draft flood maps, on 17 February, 2016 on the preliminary options and a further event is scheduled for 27 September, 2016 on the draft plans. This event will be advertised locally. The OPW works in close co-operation with the Rivers Agency of Northern Ireland on the North Western-Neagh Bann CFRAM Study.

The draft Plans for the North Western–Neagh Bann River Basin District are available for Statutory Public Consultation from Friday 19th August, 2016 to Friday 28 October 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.