Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
378. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the timing of the update to the catchment flood risk assessment and management maps, to reflect the 2022 census. [63007/25]
View answerUnder the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme a detailed assessment of flood risk for 300 communities was carried out. The CFRAM Programme produced a range of detailed flood maps for present-day conditions, and also for potential future scenarios taking into account the potential impacts of climate change. The flood maps and a wealth of other flood risk management information are published on the floodinfo.ie portal.
Updates and revisions to the flood maps produced through the CFRAM Programme may occasionally be required due to a change in physical conditions, the completion of an OPW-funded Flood Relief Scheme or a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, evidence presented by a recent flood event that calls into question the published flood map or based on other specific evidence. In these circumstances a Flood Map Review may be undertaken. A flood map review can be instigated at any time by the submission of a Flood Map Review Request Form. Full details of the Flood Map Review Programme and guidance notes for the flood map review process are available from the floodinfo.ie portal.
The flood maps, such as the flood extent and depth maps, are primarily dependent on hydrological conditions and the physical characteristics of the river and floodplain. The CFRAM mapping does however include a sub-set of maps, available in printable PDF format from the floodinfo.ie portal, showing the density of inhabitants potentially at risk from flooding, which reflect the number and typical occupancy rates of homes within a certain area and can cater for potential variations in population levels.
In the context of the 6 yearly cycle of the EU ‘Floods’ Directive, the OPW has recently published the report on the 3rd cycle Review of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment. The flood hazard and risk maps, including the printable PDF maps, will also be reviewed and updated as necessary under this cycle of the Directive.
