Flood Relief Schemes

Thursday, 11 December 2025

Questions (372, 373)

Martin Daly

Question:

372. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the plans and the present stage of the planned Ballinasloe flood relief scheme. [70960/25]

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Martin Daly

Question:

373. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if funding will be maintained and ring-fenced for a standalone flood mitigation project in Derrymullen, Ballinasloe; and the planned works and timelines in light of the area’s persistent flood risk and the inability of all residents to house insurance [70961/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together.

The Flood Risk Management Plan for the Shannon River Basin which launched in 2018, included a recommendation to progress a flood relief scheme for Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. A Project Steering Group, comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works (OPW), as Contracting Authority, and Galway County Council as project partners, is in place to progress the Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995 (as amended).

In 2019, the OPW appointed Engineering and Environmental Consultants to complete the design of the Scheme, which will provide protection to 309 residential and commercial properties when complete. The Government has committed funding to support the delivery of flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan to 2030.

The Scheme is currently at Stage I, which covers the scheme development and design. This stage experienced delays due to additional modelling requirements, delays in completing key surveys and engaging with other key stakeholders.

Surveys and assessments are ongoing by the consultants in advance of preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report which is due to commence shortly.

As part of the consultation process for the Scheme, and in order to raise awareness of the proposed flood mitigation works, a Public Consultation Day was held on 5th March 2020. A further Public Consultation to discuss the emerging options for the Scheme took place in Q1 2024. It is anticipated that the Statutory Public Exhibition for the Scheme will commence in Q2 2026 and for the scheme to be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for statutory confirmation in Q2 2027. Subject to planning consent, construction of the scheme is scheduled to commence in Q2 2028.

Flood works in Derrymullen, Ballinasloe, were initiated in 2010 following major flooding in the 2009 flood event, and constructed from 2010 to 2011. The works comprised of the construction of a flood relief wall around Derrymullen, installation of penstock and flood gates and were constructed to provide protection against a 1% AEP (100 year) fluvial event from the Deerpark River for 135 properties. As part of the overall development of the Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme the OPW needed to ensure that the existing flood defences constructed in Derrymullen were to the same standard of design and construction as the proposed Ballinasloe scheme. The hydraulic modelling completed for the Ballinasloe scheme identified that alterations were required to the existing Derrymullen flood defences and this required additional assessments and designs. Upgrades to the existing works are planned as part of the overall Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme.

The Department of Finance has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance, including flood insurance. The Department of Finance engages with the insurance industry on all aspects of insurance reform, including flood cover issues. These matters are a priority for the Government and efforts continue to be made to encourage a responsive approach to the provision of flood insurance from the insurance industry. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance has met with the CEOs of the major insurers where he strongly emphasised to industry the need to take a reasonable approach to the provision of cover where properties are proven to be in low risk areas, including after investment in flood defences.

The OPW has a role to assist insurance companies to take into account the protection provided by completed flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. The MoU sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding.

While the MoU does not guarantee the availability of insurance, Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas. 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. Neither the Minister for Finance or the Central Bank of Ireland can direct the provision or pricing of insurance products, in accordance with the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive).

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.

Question No. 373 answered with Question No. 372.