Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2016
11. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals there are to carry out drainage or flood relief works on the River Erne in County Cavan due to large-scale flooding in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36372/16]
View answerThe core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. 300 locations nationwide are being assessed under the Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities.
In relation to the River Erne system, CFRAM’s Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment study, carried out in 2011, designated Cavan Town, Ballybay, Ballyconnell and Ballinamore as Areas of Further Assessment and they are being assessed as part of the North Western-Neagh Bann CFRAM Study.
In the AFAs of Cavan Town and Ballybay there are structural options proposed in the draft Flood Risk Management Plan which will be included in the prioritised programme of measures to be implemented. The public consultation for these Plans closed on 28th October 2016. The draft plans will be finalised taking on board the comments received.
In the AFAs of Ballinamore and Ballyconnell the detailed CFRAM analysis has determined that there is currently a very low level of flood risk from rivers and/or the sea in these areas.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. In August 2016 I wrote to all Local Authorities reminding them of the availability of the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme and encouraged them to make the best possible use of the scheme to deal with localised fluvial and coastal flooding problems that may be eligible for funding under the scheme in their administrative areas.
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.
