Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 July 2015
76. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware that a school (details supplied) and playing fields in County Limerick are threatened by erosion caused by the River Galey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27829/15]
View answerMatters concerning river bank erosion do not fall within the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The area in question is not within an Arterial Drainage Scheme maintainable by OPW. Responsibility for the maintenance of the river banks would rest with the land owners concerned.
It is open to Limerick City and County Council to investigate the river bank erosion issue. If a risk of flooding has arisen due to this issue, it is open to the Council to apply to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake flood protection measures. Any application received would be assessed under the eligibility criteria of the Scheme, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. The local authority may also carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.
A national programme of CFRAM Studies, which is being carried out by several engineering consultancies over six regions on behalf of OPW, is focused on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs). The designated AFAs were selected following the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) phase in 2011. Arising from the PFRA, Athea has been designated as one of the AFAs and is being assessed under the Shannon CFRAM Study which OPW is currently undertaking in partnership with the relevant local authorities, including Limerick City and County Council.
Under the Study, draft predictive flood mapping has been produced for Athea. A Public Consultation Day on the draft flood maps was held in Athea on 25 September, 2014. The draft flood maps are currently available for inspection on the Shannon CFRAM Study website www.shannoncframstudy.ie. A national consultation process on the draft flood mapping for the 300 AFAs is scheduled to take place in the autumn. Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the assessment of appropriate flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risk identified. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.
