Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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207. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to liaise with the various statutory and local voluntary bodies in the context of identifying areas of the country likely to be isolated through flooding during the winter months with a view to putting in place whatever provisions are necessary to prevent damage and isolation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31412/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not have a role in identifying areas of the county at risk from flooding. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for leading and co-ordinating Ireland’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management in relation to prevention (e.g. avoiding construction in flood-prone areas), protection (e.g. taking feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, to reduce the likelihood and impact of floods) and preparedness (e.g. informing the public about dealing with flood risk and a flood.)

OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is the principal and core mechanism through which the most significant flood risk throughout the country is being identified, assessed and managed. This Programme is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works. I understand that the Programme involves the production of predictive flood mapping, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of detailed flood risk management plans. This OPW Programme involves and provides a forum for close collaboration and consultation with all the main stakeholders involved in flooding both at a national level and at Regional and County level.

I understand that following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the preliminary flood risk management options, the final output from the 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. I understand that following OPW’s 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, which I understand are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016, will then be sent by OPW to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his approval.