Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

681. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason run-off water was not included as part of the scope of works in the terms of reference for the Gort CFRAMS study; the cost in each of the years, 2010 to 2016, and to date in 2017, to have a CFRAM completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20681/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Flood risk from run-off water within an urban context (i.e., urban storm water drainage) is of a very different nature from fluvial and coastal flooding in terms of both mechanisms and methods to manage and reduce the risk, and is a matter for the Local Authorities. The OPW Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Studies are focusing on managing the flood risks from fluvial and coastal sources. While rural run-off into streams, and into groundwater systems that later emerge into streams, that run through one of the Areas for further Assessment (AFAs), such as Gort, would have been taken into account in the CFRAM Studies, the Studies did not set out to address more local urban storm water drainage issues.

The core strategy for addressing significant flood risks nationally is the CFRAM Programme. Gort, Co Galway is part of the Western CFRAM Study and was designated as one of thirty-one Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) under that study.

The annual cost of the Western CFRAM study from 2010 to date including the cost of the topographical survey work, is outlined in the following table:

Western CFRAM Study costs

The current position regarding the CFRAM Programme is that the flood risk management plans are now being finalised and this process is near completion. A prioritised list of feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, will be drawn up to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. The Plans will then be submitted for approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.