Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
372. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to revert to this Deputy on a matter regarding the protection of properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11668/16]
View answerMany properties within the town of Adare, including the development mentioned by the Deputy, lie within the “Benefiting Area” or floodplain of the River Maigue Catchment Drainage Scheme (CDS) which is under the statutory care of the Commissioners of Public Works. The embankments protecting the Maigue Catchment floodplain were constructed to a standard to protect agricultural land from flooding and, as such, do not confer the level of protection usually associated with residential developments.
Considerable work has been done by the OPW in the last twelve years to strengthen the embankments. In recent years, sluice outfall structures at Adare have been replaced/upgraded and a new trash grid has been installed. OPW will continue to maintain the Maigue CDS to a standard above that for which it was originally designed.
Adare is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) being assessed under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk and Management (CFRAM) study. The CFRAM Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works, working in partnership with 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 a Public Consultation event in Adare on 14th April, 2015. In addition, on 9th December, 2015 a further Public Consultation event was held to present preliminary options to manage the assessed flood risks in Adare 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. The draft Plans will include a prioritised list of measures to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. These Plans will be available for public consultation in 2016.
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 Plans.
