Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
18. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department plans to implement a national river management strategy to mitigate the impact of future severe weather events given recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10275/26]
View answerThe Government’s flood risk policy is focussed on the implementation of the Flood Risk Management Plans arising from the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and bringing forward policies and measures, that can support individuals and communities to respond effectively to flood risks. The 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), set out both structural and non-structural measures to manage the flood risk in the communities at potentially significant flood risk and elsewhere around the country.
The Government has committed €1.3 billion for the delivery of the FRMPs and flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the NDP to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning and construction to some 100 schemes at this time.
Nationally, 56 schemes have been completed to date which are providing protection to over 13,500 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion.
All new and ongoing flood relief projects require the preparation of a Scheme Adaptation Plan such that the design and implementation of the scheme takes the potential impacts of climate change into account with a view to ensuring that the scheme will provide for, or can be adapted to manage, the likely increases in future flood risk. The development of flood relief schemes under the OPW’s capital programme also involves a specific requirement to assess the potential for nature-based solutions as part of the overall solution to managing flood risk for a particular community.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, individual property protection, the Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme, enhanced preparedness, and flood forecasting, is intended to address residual risks.
The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group co-ordinates national flood policy development and implementation. The Government Departments and State Agencies involved are each taking the lead to provide effective supports and policy measures within their areas of responsibility, and also with promoting and addressing community and individual responses.
The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended. The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority.
In general, responsibility for watercourses outside of the remit of local authorities and the OPW is a matter for the landowner(s) concerned who have an important role in ensuring that watercourses are managed and free flowing so that in extreme weather events the risk of flooding can be minimised.
