Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW's plans to address the flooding issue in the Hazelhatch area of Celbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13480/18]

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 focused on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, designated in 2012 as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. The flood risk for each of these areas has been assessed, through detailed engineering techniques to assess their risk and impact from flooding. This risk and the proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified to manage that risk are outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.

Having now received the outcomes of the independent review of the environmental assessments for the Flood Risk Management Plans, the Commissioners of Public Works have submitted the Flood Risk Management Plans to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for approval.

While the Hazelhatch area of Celbridge, County Kildare was assessed as part of the Eastern CFRAM Study the Plans have identified the need for some further study of the area before being able to identify any feasible option to manage the existing flood risk.

In the interim, the OPW understands that the more frequent flooding experienced in the area is due to a blockage of the culverts at Willow Dale and Willow Avenue. In this regard, I understand that Kildare County Council is considering lodging an application under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in relation to this flooding experience.