Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
194. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has ensured that the ongoing flood risk to persons in a location (details supplied) that have been out of their homes since August 2017, has been assessed; and the solutions including the construction of flood defences, the OPW is considering to protect persons from future flooding. [3980/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 CFRAM Programme focussed on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. The proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified for AFAs are outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.
The area referred to by the Deputy is part of an AFA and is being assessed by the North Western – Neagh Bann CFRAM Programme. The proposed measure for this area consists of a series of sea walls, flood embankments and floodwalls, with an average height of 1 m and a total length of 1.6 km.
The Draft Flood Risk Management Plans were published for public consultation in 2016 and a significant volume of submissions were received for consideration. In Summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and each Plan was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for an independent review of the environmental assessments. This independent review is nearing completion, after which the Final Plans will be formally submitted to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for approval, in accordance with the statutory requirements. If the draft proposed measures are approved, the detailed design for a scheme would take account of the recent flood events and their impact in this area.
I would hope in the coming weeks to seek the approval from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for the Flood Risk Management Plans developed under the CFRAM process.
