Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 April 2016
143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his proposals to carry out major drainage work on the River Erne system in County Cavan due to the ongoing problems with flooding in its catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7048/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his proposals to carry out drainage work on the Dromore river system in County Monaghan due to ongoing problems with flooding in its catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7049/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcome of his discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland on flooding problems caused by the River Erne in County Fermanagh and in County Cavan; if he has had discussions on the need to carry out the appropriate drainage and remedial works to alleviate the serious flooding problems that are caused in part by the restrictions to water flow through the River Erne at the channel between upper and lower Lough Erne and at the channel between the lower Lough Erne and the Cliff Dam near Belleek in County Fermanagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7050/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 145, inclusive, together.
As indicated in my replies of 14 January, 2016, the Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have Arterial Drainage Schemes on either the River Erne or River Dromore and is not responsible for channel maintenance in either area.
Local flooding issues are, in the first instance, a matter for each local authority to investigate and address. They may carry out flood alleviation works from their own resources or apply to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which comprise economic, social and environmental criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Further details on this scheme are available on the OPW website www.opw.ie.
The 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 the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and the national flood policy.
The CFRAM 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 flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans.
In relation to the River Erne system, Cavan Town is an Area of Further Assessment (AFA) being assessed as part of the North Western-Neagh Bann CFRAM Study. Flood risk in other areas of the Erne system were not deemed to be significant under the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) completed in 2011. Those parts of the River Erne system which affect Cavan Town have been modelled and mapped and are being assessed for options to address flood risk. Drainage works are part of the suite of measures that are being assessed. A public consultation day was held in Cavan Town on the draft flood mapping on 19th February, 2015 and a further event was held on 17th February, 2016 on the preliminary options. Discussions are ongoing with the Rivers Agency of Northern Ireland in relation to any flood risk issues within the River Erne system in Co Fermanagh. Catchment wide preliminary options were available at public consultation for discussion.
In relation to the Dromore River system, Ballybay is an AFA being assessed as part of the same CFRAM Study. Those parts of the Dromore system which affect Ballybay have been modelled and mapped and are being assessed for options to address flood risk. Drainage works are part of the suite of measures that are being assessed. A Public Consultation Day was held in Ballybay on the draft flood mapping on 18th February, 2015 and a further event was held on 15th February, 2016 in relation to the preliminary options.
Under the CFRAM Programme, the draft mapping is now being finalised following completion of the national statutory public consultation on 23rd December, 2015. Following finalisation of the 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 feasible measures to address significant flood risks identified. The draft Plans are scheduled to be published in mid 2016.
Further information is available on the study website: www.northwestcframstudy.ie.
