Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014
87. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to a flooding issue (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he has had discussions with Mayo County Council on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11242/14]
View answerBallina was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as an area where flood risk is potentially significant. It was therefore designated as an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Western CFRAM Study is currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works, with its technical consultants and in partnership with the relevant local authorities, including Mayo County Council.
The AFA analysis will enable the identification of flood risk management options for this area. Currently draft flood maps are being prepared and will go to public consultation in Autumn 2014. Further information on the study is available at www.westcframstudy.ie.
Following recent flooding in Ballina, the CFRAM consultants collected flood event data in the locality. A draft report containing this information issued to Mayo County Council in early February 2014. This information will further support the CFRAM study thus ensuring that any mitigation proposals will be robust. On Friday 21 February I attended at Ballina local authority offices and met with officials and public representatives to appraise myself of the situation locally and also to visit and meet with those directly affected.
Pending finalisation of the flood risk management plan under the CFRAM Programme, it remains open to the Council to submit an application for funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme for possible localised measures to address the flooding problem at this location. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Application forms are available on the OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. It is also open to Mayo County Council to carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.
