Robert Troy
Question:123. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans in place to develop flood defences in the areas of Lanesborough and Clondra, County Longford. [8272/16]
View answerTuesday, 26 April 2016
Questions (123)
Written answers
The core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks nationally is the Office of Public Works’ (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Lanesborough Power Station is an Individual Risk Receptor (IRR) and Cloondara (or Clondra) is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) in the Shannon River Basin District being assessed under the Shannon CFRAM study. 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 have been produced and were the subject of Public Consultation Days in Cloondara on 21st January, 2015 and for Lanesborough Power Station IRR on 25th February, 2015. In addition, a Public Consultation Day was held in Cloondara on 18th November, 2015 to present and discuss preliminary options to manage the significant flood risks in the Cloondara AFA. The draft maps are now being finalised following the conclusion of the national statutory public consultation process on 23rd December, 2015.
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 that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified in the Shannon River Basin District. The Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, that can address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. Further information on the Programme is available on www.cfram.ie.
The Government recently announced increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration of measures arising from the Flood Risk Management Plans.
The Office of Public Works also operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. It is open to the Longford County Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
Two applications under the OPW’s Minor Works Scheme have been received in 2016 for Lanesborough, which are not within the AFA. Both applications are currently being assessed.
It is also open to Longford County Council to carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.