Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when flood defence construction works will advance in the upper Lee for areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53474/17]

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 production of Flood Risk Management Plans.

The Programme is focussing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary are AFAs under the Programme.

The proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified for AFAs are outlined in the final Flood Risk Management Plans that propose feasible flood relief works for each of Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary including flood walls and embankments . A Ballingeary Hydrometric Monitoring Regime is also proposed, to include the installation of hydrometric gauges on the Bunsheelin River and River Lee. Subject to Ministerial approval, where a measure has been proposed in the Plans, their progression to detailed design, further environmental assessments, public consultation and cost review.

The 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 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 be taken, through a prioritised approach over the coming years, to detailed design to protect those communities at assessed risk.