Written answers

Thursday, 18 January 2018

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Risk Management

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the catchment flood risk assessment and management programme and flood risk management plans will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2347/18]

Photo of Kevin  MoranKevin 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 focusing 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. The proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified for AFAs are outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.

The Draft Flood Risk Management Plans were published for public consultation between July to December 2016, with a significant volume of submission topics received for consideration. In Summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and as required between August and September 2017, each Plan was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for an independent review of the environmental assessments. This independent review is nearing completion, after which the Final Plans will be formally submitted to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for approval, in accordance with the statutory requirements (Statutory Instrument No. 122 of 2010).

I would hope in the coming weeks 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.

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