Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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488. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has received a copy of the submission for flood relief from the Mid-Shannon Flood Relief Group; the steps being taken to deal with the ongoing serious issues that have arisen from flooding, which has caused significant flooding to residents property in and around the Shannon catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26626/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I have received a submission from the Mid-Shannon Flood Relief Group.

The core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks nationally, and in the Shannon River Basin District generally, is the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. There are 66 locations in the Shannon 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 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.

The public consultation on the draft flood risk management plans for the Shannon CFRAM study finished on 23rd September, 2016. The Plans will now be finalised taking account of observations and comments received and will contain a prioritised list of feasible measures to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner.

The Government decided on 5 January 2016 to establish the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon.

The Group is comprised of the following membership and comes under the chairmanship of the Office of Public Works:

Office of Public Works

Local Authorities, represented by the City and County Management Association

Waterways Ireland

Electricity Supply Board

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Bord na Móna

Environment Protection Agency

Irish Water

The Attorney General’s Office and other Government Departments may also participate, as requested by the Chairman.

The Group has met on four occasions to date and has conducted an audit of the roles and responsibilities of State Agency organisations and has published its Shannon Flood Risk Work Programme for 2016. Its Work Programme which is monitored by the Group is available on the OPW website. The Group has engaged in a programme of public consultation and has held a series of open days on its work programme. The Group is also considering further flood mitigation measures such as lowering lake levels prior to the Winter and will oversee the implementation of the Shannon CFRAM. I will be attending the next meeting of the Group which is to be held shortly to get a further update on their actions and activities for the Shannon Catchment.

I am satisfied that the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group is focussed on ensuring the best possible level of co-ordination between the statutory bodies on the River Shannon and that it will deliver the highest level of efficiencies to add value to the Shannon CFRAM programme.

The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group is also considering a range of policy issues and options in relation to flood risk management. The Group’s work, when completed, will be submitted to Government for consideration.