Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
15. 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40519/26]
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 or 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 includes a sub-set of maps showing the density of inhabitants potentially at risk from flooding, which reflect the number and typical occupancy rates of homes within a certain area. As part of an overall update of the floodinfo.ie portal, these risk maps, which were only available in printable PDF format, have been converted into active GIS layers and updated based on the 2022 Census data, and will be uploaded to the portal for interactive use in the coming weeks.
In the context of the 6 yearly cycle of the EU ‘Floods’ Directive, the OPW published in 2025 the report on the 3rd cycle Review of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment. The flood hazard and risk maps are reviewed on an ongoing basis and where appropriate updated, to meet the requirements of the Directive.
