Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2015
305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to deal with the flooding issues in the Shannon region, in particular in areas surrounding Athlone in County Westmeath. [34454/15]
View answerAthlone is one of 66 locations in the Shannon River Basin District and 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. 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 risk and hazard mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans. Under the Shannon CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps for Athlone have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Athlone on 17 February 2015. The flood maps will be finalised following a national public consultation scheduled to be held later in 2015. Work on the development of preliminary flood risk management options for Athlone and the Shannon River Basin District, involving further local public consultation, is underway. Further information is available on the Shannon CFRAM Study website www.shannoncframstudy.ie.
Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of Preliminary 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 risks identified in the Shannon River Basin District. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.
Pending the finalisation of the CFRAM Programme, it is open to Local Authorities to submit an application to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for any interim mitigation measures that may be identified. It is also open to Local Authorities to carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources.
