John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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375. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the seven schemes (details supplied) in County Kilkenny being considered under the CFRAM flood risk management measures; the timeframe for bringing the schemes through the full process to funding stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39842/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The core strategy for addressing areas of potentially significant risk from flooding is the OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Three hundred locations nationwide are being assessed under the Programme, the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy.

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 risk mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans.

Twelve locations in Co. Kilkenny were identified as Areas for Further Assessment (AFA) in the Programme. The twelve are Ballyhale, Ballyragget, Callan, Fiddown, Freshford, Graiguenamanagh, Inistioge, Kilkenny - Nore, Kilkenny – Bregagh, Mullinavat, Piltown, & Thomastown. These locations fall under the South Eastern CFRAM Study and under the Suir CFRAM Study. The statutory public consultation on the draft flood risk management plans for the South Eastern CFRAM Study closed on the 28 of October, 2016. The statutory public consultation on the draft flood risk management plans for the Suir CFRAM Study closes today 13 December, 2016 .

The draft flood risk management plans will now be finalised taking account of comments and observations received and the plans will contain a prioritised list of feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner .

The target date for finalisation of all these plans for approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is Spring 2017.

A €430 million, 6 year programme of capital investment on flood defence measures was announced as part of the Government’s overall Capital Investment Plan 2016 – 2021. During this time, the annual allocation for flood defence schemes will more than double to €100m.