Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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196. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address the flooding concerns for the Cappamore area in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4011/18]

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 CFRAM Programme focussed 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.

Cappamore is designated as an AFA and is part of the Shannon CFRAM Programme. The proposed CFRAM measure outlined in the flood risk management plan for Cappamore is to continue with the ongoing maintenance of the Cappamore Flood Relief Scheme.

The Mulkear River (Cappamore) Certified Drainage Scheme was constructed from 1999 to 2001. The Scheme comprises flood defence walls and embankments, channel conveyance improvements, a flood bypass channel, and watercourse diversions and provides protection from the Mulkear River and tributaries for 70 properties.

The Draft Flood Risk Management Plans were published for public consultation in 2016 and a significant volume of submissions were received for consideration. In Summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and 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.

I would hope in the coming weeks to seek the approval from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for the Flood Risk Management Plans developed under the CFRAM process.