Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcome of discussions regarding catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, and the need to introduce measures to deal with flooding in the Ballybay area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50811/17]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. 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 publication of Flood Risk Management Plans.

These final Plans are currently undergoing an independent review of the strategic level environmental assessments by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Once this independent review of all Plans is completed and observations addressed, I would hope by the end of this year or early 2018, to seek the approval from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for the 29 Flood Risk Management Plans developed under the CFRAM process.

Thereafter, I would hope to announce the proposed structural measures contained within those Plans that will, over the coming years, be taken, through a prioritised approach, to detailed design to protect those communities at assessed risk.

The preferred measure for Ballybay published in the draft Plans in 2016 consisted of a series of flood embankments and walls. These hard defences will extend for a total length of 2.5km with an average height of 1.6m. If approved, as part of the final Plans this option will provide protection to approximately 61 properties at risk of fluvial flooding. Approval for proposed schemes in the Plans, allows for their progression to detailed design, further environmental assessments and public consultation.