04 November, 2011

QUESTION NO:  *97

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Brian Hayes, TD 
by Deputy Finian McGrath

for WRITTEN ANSWER on Wednesday, 2nd November, 2011.

*  To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on a national strategy on coastal flooding which would include the views of local residents..

- Finian McGrath TD

REPLY

The Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) was commenced in 2003 by the then Department of Marine & Natural Resources. The ICPSS established a more strategic framework for detailed mapping and analysis of the Irish coastline. The phases set out in the ICPSS to progress that analysis are now substantially complete.

Assessment and management of coastal flood risk, as identified by the ICPSS, is now incorporated in the strategic provisions of the National Flood Policy, as established after Government approval of the 2004 Report of the Flood Policy Review Group and aligned with the requirements of the 2007 EU Floods Directive. The principal vehicle for implementation of the Floods Directive is the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Studies Programme.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is designed to identify and assess areas, both coastal and inland, at risk of significant flooding.

The purpose of the Programme is to:

• Produce detailed flood mapping in order to identify and map the existing and potential future flood hazard and risk areas.
• Build the strategic information base necessary for making informed decisions in relation to managing flood risk.
• Identify viable structural and non-structural measures and options for managing the flood risks for localised high-risk areas both coastal and inland.

There are three main stages in the Programme and a suite of documents is produced for public consultation at each stage:

• 2011 - Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (The public consultation stage of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment was concluded on 01 November 2011)
• 2013 - Flood Hazard Mapping
• 2015 - Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans