Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
392. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the flood risk management plans for the Wad, Santry, Moyne and other rivers and streams of Dublin Bay North to be available for public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23757/16]
View answerThe rivers in question are contained in the Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.
Good progress is being made on the CFRAM Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works (OPW) working in partnership with the local authorities. The Programme involves the production of predictive flood mapping for 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs), the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans. The CFRAM flood risk and hazard mapping is 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 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 are being made available for Statutory Public Consultation on a rolling basis from Friday 15th July, 2016. The public consultation for the draft Plans for the Eastern River Basin Districts is scheduled to commence towards the end of August 2016. This public consultation will run for ten weeks. Further details are available on the dedicated consultation website www.opw.ie/FloodPlans. Copies of the draft Plans, related Environmental Assessments and an information leaflet will be available at the principal offices of each local authority.
Following the public consultation process, the draft Plans will be finalised taking on board the comments received. The finalised 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. The Plans, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016, will then be sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his approval.
