Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2015
190. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to advance the flood relief scheme promised for residents in the Clonbonny, Parnell Square, Deerpark and the Strand areas of Athlone, County Westmeath, which have been subject to the threat of flooding and the destruction of their properties, businesses and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45406/15]
View answerThe core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks in Athlone and in the Shannon River Basin District generally, is the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Athlone is one of 66 locations in the Shannon River Basin District and 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the 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 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 draft maps are scheduled to be finalised following the national statutory consultation process, which is currently under way until 23 December, 2015. Details are available at the Civic Offices, Church St., Athlone, and on the consultation website http://maps.opw.ie/flood_draftmap_consult/.
A further Public Consultation Day will be held in Athlone this week on Thursday 17 December 2015 to present and discuss preliminary flood risk management options to manage the flood risk. 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.
Westmeath County Council had submitted applications to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in 2010 for flood mitigation measures for Athlone. While funding was approved for measures at The Strand, other applications were not cost beneficial and it was considered that all flood relief measures for Athlone as a whole, be progressed under the CFRAM Programme.
