Denis Naughten
Question:85. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flood relief in Athleague village in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44537/15]
View answerThursday, 10 December 2015
Questions (85)
Written answers
Athleague is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and detailed flood risk assessment is being carried out by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works in partnership with Roscommon County Council. Draft predictive flood maps, produced under the Study, were the subject of a Public Consultation event in Athleague on 17 September 2014. The draft maps are scheduled to be finalised following the national statutory consultation process, currently ongoing until 23 December, 2015. Details are available on the consultation website http://maps.opw.ie/flood_draftmap_consult/.
As part of the process, a further Public Consultation event on preliminary options to manage flood risk was due to be held in Athleague on 8 December 2015. However, due to flooding in the town, it will be rescheduled for a date in early 2016. Flood Risk Management Plans for the Shannon CFRAM Study area are scheduled to be prepared during 2016. Data on the recent flooding in Athleague will be gathered by the Shannon CFRAM Study consultants and fully taken into account as part of work on the Study.
In 2010 funds were approved in the sum of €270,000 for works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project in Athleague County Roscommon.
No further applications have been submitted by Roscommon County Council for works at Athleague. It remains open to the Council to apply for funding under the above scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.