Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 January 2016
132. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his proposals to carry out major drainage work on the River Erne system in County Cavan, due to the ongoing problems with flooding in that catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1707/16]
View answer133. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his proposals to carry out drainage work on the Dromore River system in County Monaghan, due to ongoing problems with flooding in that catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1708/16]
View answer134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcome of discussions he has had with the authorities in Northern Ireland regarding flooding problems caused by the River Erne in County Fermanagh and in County Cavan, including the need to carry out the appropriate drainage and remedial works to alleviate the serious flooding problems that are caused, in part, by the restrictions to water flow through the River Erne at the channel between the Upper and Lower Lough Erne, and at the channel between the Lower Lough Erne and the Cliff dam near Belleek in County Fermanagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1711/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 134, inclusive, together.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have Arterial Drainage Schemes on either the River Erne system or River Dromore and is not responsible for channel maintenance in either area in accordance with its statutory requirements under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
Local flooding issues are, in the first instance, a matter for each local authority to investigate and address, and they may carry out flood alleviation works from their own resources or apply to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Funding for this scheme has regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Further details on this scheme including eligibility criteria are available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.
The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding, is the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Some 300 locations nationwide 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.
In relation to the River Erne system, Cavan Town is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) being assessed as part of the North Western/Neagh Bann CFRAM Study. No other areas of the River Erne system were designated as being a potentially significant risk. Those parts of Erne system which affect Cavan Town have been modelled and mapped and are being assessed for preliminary options to address assessed flood risk. Drainage works are part of the suite of measures that are being assessed. A Public Consultation Day was held in Cavan Town on the draft flood mapping on 19th February, 2015 and a further event will be held locally in the coming months on the preliminary options. Discussions are ongoing with the Rivers Agency of Northern Ireland in relation to any flood risk issues within the Erne system in Co Fermanagh and catchment wide preliminary options will be available at the upcoming public consultation for discussion.
In relation to the Dromore River system, Ballybay is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) being assessed as part of the same CFRAM Study. Those parts of the Dromore system which affect Ballybay have been modelled and mapped and are being assessed for preliminary options to address flood risk. Drainage works are part of the suite of measures that are being assessed. A Public Consultation Day was held in Ballybay on the draft flood mapping on 18th February, 2015 and a further event will be held locally in the coming months on the preliminary options.
Under the CFRAM Programme, the draft mapping is now being finalised following completion of the national statutory public consultation on 23rd December, 2015. Following finalisation of the 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 feasible measures to address significant flood risks identified. The Plans are scheduled for publication in mid 2016 for public consultation towards final plans being completed by the end of 2016.
Further information is available on the study website: www.northwestcframstudy.ie
