Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
405. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if a location (details supplied) is showing on the flood plain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64727/25]
View answerThe OPW, through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, carried out the largest ever flood risk study in Ireland to date, which assessed 80% of properties at risk from Ireland’s main causes of flooding. The OPW Flood Maps, that show the flood risk for 300 communities, are a key output of the study together with 29 Flood Risk Management Plans, with the proposed flood relief measures to address the flood risk in each community.
The Flood Maps are available to the public to view at www.floodinfo.ie. However, it is important to note that they are community based maps. The maps were not designed to designate individual properties at risk. The maps show the probable extent of flooding based on current and future projections.
In recent correspondence on this matter the Deputy has raised the issue of flood insurance. As I have set out in my response to the correspondence, the Disclaimer and Conditions for Use of OPW flood maps on www.floodinfo.ie includes a provision that users of the website must not use the flood maps, or any other content of the website for commercial purposes. As such, the Disclaimer prevents insurance companies from using the flood maps generated by the OPW.
The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk that it is willing to underwrite in relation to individual properties. Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry, has highlighted to the OPW that it does not use the OPW flood maps to inform its flood modelling. The decision on whether to offer insurance, the level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis.
Insurance Ireland operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01 567 7000.
The Department of Finance has the lead policy responsibility for insurance matters, including flood insurance. The Department of Finance engages with the insurance industry on all aspects of insurance reform, including flood cover issues and efforts continue to be made to encourage a responsive approach to the provision of flood insurance from the insurance industry. In accordance with the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive), the Government cannot direct the provision or pricing of insurance products.
The OPW in partnership with Galway County Council have appointed Arup in conjunction with Hydro-Environmental Ltd. to assess, develop and design a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Ballinasloe. Ryan Hanley Ltd. has also been appointed to undertake the environmental appraisals for the scheme. The Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme is currently at scheme development and preliminary design stage with the Statutory Public Exhibition period scheduled to commence in Q2 2026. Further information on this Scheme is available at, www.floodinfo.ie/ballinasloefrs.
