Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
269. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the draft flood risk management plans for at risk areas (details supplied) will be approved, implemented and adopted by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37122/17]
View answerThe core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. 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. The catchment area referred to by the Deputy is part of one of four study areas under the Eastern CFRAM Study.
The OPW has reviewed the draft Plan for this area including taking account of the submissions received during public and statutory consultation. This Plan was, on 11th August 2017, submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for independent review of the environmental assessments. Once this independent review of all 29 Plans is completed and observations addressed, the final Plans will be formally submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for approval, in accordance with the statutory requirements for approval of the Plans.
I aim by the end of this year to seek approval from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the 29 Flood Risk Management Plans developed by the national CFRAM Programme. These Plans will inform Government’s prioritised approach to further develop over 100 major flood defence schemes and investment to those that deliver feasible protection against significant floods risks. The Plans will then be forwarded to the Local Authorities that may adopt the Plans for their respective areas.
