FAQs

Delivering flood relief schemes is complex and involves gathering the evidence across many technical issues and the views from many stakeholders. While a project management approach is adopted for the delivery of all projects, there are many known and unforeseen issues that cause delays to the scheduled programme. These can include ground conditions, archaeological finds and landowner issues. In addition, planning decisions and judicial reviews, while important for due process, have recently extended the overall time it takes to deliver projects.

The OPW engages widely and proactively with residents, business owners and local communities whose property and lands are impacted by flood risk and whose lands are integral to the construction of a flood relief scheme. The OPW also holds wider public consultation and engagement on all of its flood relief projects and on the maintenance of schemes. The views from all stakeholders are important to inform both the flood risk and the solutions to manage that risk, in a manner that mitigates the impact on the environment.

In 2009, with advice from the OPW, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) produced Guidelines on The Planning System and Flood Risk Management, which set out a rigorous approach to flood risk assessment, when considering development plans and assessing planning applications.

Since that time, the OPW has continued to review forward planning documents to help ensure that the 2009 Guidelines are implemented to promote sustainable development. These documents have included the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, as well as development and local area plans. The OPW has no role in reviewing individual planning applications.

The OPW has provided DHLGH with maps on the flood extents for the 300 areas studied under the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. These maps are used for planning purposes.

In 2014, Uisce Éireann embarked on a four-stage process to identify a suitable new source of water supply for the Eastern and Midlands Region. Extensive studies and research have been undertaken to identify and assess all possible supply options to meet the future water supply requirements of the region.

The Parteen Basin scheme was identified as the preferred scheme as it is the option which delivers the widest benefit to the greatest number of people, the least environmental impact and is the most cost-effective.

The Parteen Basin scheme comprises the abstraction of water from the lower River Shannon at Parteen Basin in Co. Tipperary, with water treatment nearby at Birdhill. Treated water would then be piped 170km to a reservoir at Peamount in South County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin network. Supplies of treated water would be made available to Midlands communities along the route. The latest information on the project can be found on the project at www.watersupplyproject.ie

A number of bodies are responsible for aspects of maintenance on the Shannon:

1. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended. Silt and vegetation management of channels is the most widespread maintenance activity, with the average channel requiring maintenance every four to six years. OPW is responsible for the maintenance of flood relief schemes.
2. Local authorities are responsible for the maintenance of drainage works carried out in former drainage districts;
3. Waterways Ireland is responsible for the maintenance of the navigation channel;
4. ESB is responsible for the maintenance of its infrastructure.

Maintenance of rivers and other watercourses has some benefit in preventing the deterioration of channel conveyance capacity. While maintenance on its own cannot protect properties and has no beneficial effect in extreme flood events, it is recognised that maintenance can play a positive role in mitigating against the effects of less severe flood events and summer flooding.

Maintenance works must be carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, through a range of environmental assessments, including Strategic Environmental Assessments, Appropriate Assessments and Ecological Assessments, supported by widespread stakeholder consultation.

In 2016, the Government agreed to the establishment of a National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service (NFFWS) to enable members of the public and local authorities take more preparatory action to reduce the impact of flooding.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) chairs the Steering Group for the NFFWS, which is also comprised of representatives from Met Éireann, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the County and City Management Association, to steer and support the establishment of the new Service.

The Steering Group has agreed an implementation plan for Stage I of the multi-stage development of the NFFWS and there has been significant progress made to date in relation to its development. Stage I of the Service is primarily concerned with the set-up and establishment of the Service and comprises the following main tasks:

1. Recruitment and training of staff
2. Provision of accommodation
3. Provision of real-time hydrometric and meteorological data for the Service
4. Development of hydrological models (river models) for flood forecasting
5. Transfer of the National Tide and Storm Surge Forecast model to Met Éireann
6. Development of the Irish Flood Information Communication System

The Irish Flood Integrated Communication System (IFICS), developed by Met Éireann is an online platform that is being used to provide flood forecasts, weather and hydrological observations and for the issuing of Daily Flood Guidance Statements (DFGS) on a trial basis to a restricted group of agencies. Met Éireann has provided training to Local Authorities on the use of the system and on the interpretation of the forecasts.

When fully operational, this Service will be of significant benefit to communities and individuals to prepare for and lessen the impact of flooding. Existing flood forecasting and warning systems and arrangements will continue to be maintained until the national Service is fully operational.

The Flood Risk Management Plans (Flood Plans) identify the known risk from flooding in the communities most at risk and set out the Government’s agreed objectives to target and take forward feasible action and resources in the areas where they can achieve most.

In focusing on these ‘at-risk’ communities the Flood Plans help provide information about those measures that can tackle flooding across the country. The Flood Plans help to increase awareness of flood risk, improve understanding of how it can affect us and how people and communities can plan to help mitigate the damage and impact from flooding in their areas.

The Flood Plans are available at www.floodinfo.ie

The OPW carries out a whole range of environmental assessments for various activities such as the development of flood risk management plans, flood relief schemes and maintenance of OPW arterial drainage schemes (channels, flood defence embankments and associated structures). 

The main assessments carried out by the OPW include:

1. Strategic Environmental Assessments
2. Environmental Impact Assessments
3. Appropriate Assessments
4. Ecological Assessments

An Appropriate Assessment is an assessment of the potential adverse effects of a plan or project (in combination with other plans or projects) on Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.

Strategic Environmental Assessment consists of a range of analytical and participatory approaches that aim to integrate environmental considerations into policies, plans and programmes and evaluate the inter-linkages with economic and social considerations

An Ecological Assessment ensure that the potential significant ecological impacts  are fully considered, mitigated and communicated to decision-makers on a proposal.

Environmental Impact Assessment is a tool used to assess the significant effects of a project or development proposal on the environment

The provision of insurance cover, 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.

You can discuss your experience with Insurance Ireland, contact details are available here . If you have a complaint about your individual dealings with an insurance company and are not satisfied with their final response, you should contact the Financial Services Ombudsman. Details on how to make a complaint are available here. The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) provides a free service to complainants and there is no cost for bringing a complaint to the FSPO.

The Local Authorities and the OPW have a statutory duty to maintain their respective completed Arterial Drainage Schemes in proper repair and in an effective condition. These Arterial Drainage Schemes and associated maintenance do not cover all watercourses throughout the country, including those that pass through or near land owned by other statutory and non-statutory bodies.

The OPW has developed a guidance document Living Near Watercourses: A Guide to the Rights and Responsibilities of Landowners  to assist owners of land or property that is located on the banks of a watercourse – both natural and artificial. Such landowners are commonly termed riparian owners. Riparian owners need to be aware of their rights and responsibilities in relation to watercourses. This online guidance document provides some practical advice and assistance for the management of watercourses.

The OPW has published guidance to help homeowners, businesses and farmers to plan and prepare to protect themselves and their livelihoods, and reduce the impact, in the event of a flood.  It includes contact information for organisations that may be of assistance should this arise.  This information is available at www.flooding.ie. 

The Government’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign also provides valuable advice for dealing with severe weather events.

The response to weather emergencies is appropriately locally-led in the first instance by Local Authorities who are designated as the Lead Agency for responding to severe weather events.

In their role as Lead Agency, local authorities carry out a number of functions during the response stage and continue to deal with recovery issues in conjunction with other responsible agencies. The local authority role includes:

1. Coordinating an inter-agency response;
2. Monitoring forecasts/ alerts/ warnings to scale the appropriate response measures;
3. Operating Flood Defences and deploying sand-bag defences;
4. Clearing debris and fallen trees;
5. Flood Rescue and pumping water; and
6. Public Communication.

Met Éireann alerts local authorities directly when severe weather is forecast and such warnings are received by a Severe Weather Assessment Team within a local authority. The Severe Weather Assessment Team take the appropriate action to scale a response and to ensure the appropriate resources are in place. This approach helps to anticipate and prepare for the response required by local authorities.

When required local authorities liaise with the other Principal Response Agencies (HSE, An Garda Síochána) and where necessary activate inter-agency structures to manage the response.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is designated as Lead Government Department for co-ordinating the response at national level to severe weather and flooding situations. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport plays a major supporting role as transport is one of the main sectors affected by severe weather.

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) within the Department (DHLGH) is tasked with receiving and assessing weather warnings and reports on events around the country. In the case of emergencies with potential national impacts the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage may decide to convene a National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG).

Met Éireann issues advisories up to about a week ahead to provide early information on potential hazardous weather. Details of weather warnings and advisories are published by Met Eireann on their website

Download the Met Éireann App for a detailed 10-day forecast for your locality and to sign up for warnings notifications.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is co-ordinating Ireland’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management across three strategic and policy areas:

1. Prevention – by avoiding construction in flood-prone areas,
2. Protection – by taking feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, to reduce the likelihood and impact of flooding, and
3. Preparedness – by informing the public about dealing with flood risk and flooding.

Critical achievements to date include:

1. The profiling of the main flood risk areas, through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme,
2. The significant Government investment (structural measures) since 1995 to reduce flood damage,
3. The introduction in 2009 of planning guidelines to avoid building on flood plains, and progress in responding to flood events.

Local Authorities may apply to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. This scheme provides funding for minor flood mitigation works or studies, costing up to €750,000 each, to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems.  All applications are assessed under the eligibility criteria for the scheme.  Any proposed measures must be cost beneficial and dependent on the OPW’s overall availability of funding.

The Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those homes that flooded in the winter of 2015/16, including those homes flooded by turloughs.

This was a once-off Scheme and to be eligible for assistance, a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions, including that floodwater entered and damaged the building as a result of flooding during relevant dates such as to render it uninhabitable and that there is no viable engineering solution that could protect the building from future flooding.

Under this national Scheme, potentially eligible homes were identified to the OPW in two ways, either by the local authorities or through direct expressions of interest from homeowners. At all times, participation in the Scheme has been voluntary for homeowners.

Some homeowners will benefit from planned engineering projects that will protect their homes from future flooding such as planned flood relief schemes and local authority projects funded under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. In addition to these projects, remedial works have been identified for some homes that would otherwise be eligible for relocation and for which there is no other funding source.

Where an engineering solution is not feasible, the OPW has offered financial assistance to a number of eligible homeowners, enabling them to relocate and purchase or build a replacement home under the Scheme.

The farming community has proved to be very resilient in times of severe weather. Nonetheless, Teagasc provide specific advice based on best practice for the various sectors of agriculture in time of need and this is published on the Teagasc  and www.agriculture.gov.ie 

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine together with Teagasc and the Office of Emergency Planning has prepared advice for farm families both in terms of planning for the impact of severe weather on livestock and farming activity in general. This advice is contained in the Winter Ready Booklet produced by the Office of Emergency Planning. Copies of the booklet are available on www.winterready.ie

The Department also operates an Animal Welfare Helpline (076-1064408/01-6072379) (alternatively email animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie) which farmers can contact in the event of fodder shortages or other animal welfare related matters. Farmers should plan well in advance in order to minimise the effects of severe weather on their farming activity.  Farmers should listen to news bulletins and weather forecasts and remember that farming is always a dangerous occupation but all the more so in difficult weather conditions.

Bord na Móna owns only 2% of the overall land in the Shannon Catchment and less than 20% of the peat lands in the Catchment. Peat extraction has ceased on all Bord na Móna bogs in 2019 and since then a significant number of these bogs in the Shannon catchment area have already been rehabilitated, flooding is no longer a risk to activities.

Bord na Móna’s peat extraction activities are regulated under IPC licences enforced by the EPA. Silt control is a typical licence requirement as is the rehabilitation of cutaway bogs. A rehabilitation plan will be developed by Bord na Móna for each bog. Bord na Móna consults the public on each plan and makes it publicly available.

Bord na Móna’s Peatlands Climate Action Scheme (PCAS) is focused on carbon storage, reducing emissions and encouraging carbon sequestration. The lands are also being used to enhance biodiversity, develop significant renewable energy infrastructure and to facilitate future amenity use for local communities.

In the event of a flood, the local authorities and emergency services will provide the principal response at a local level.

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is designated Lead Government Department for co-ordinating the response to severe weather and flooding crises.

The Department has undertaken this role in relation to severe weather and flooding crises since 2009. During these crises, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management has convened and chaired the “National Emergency Co-ordination Group” on behalf of the Department.

During periods of severe weather, it is important to obtain the latest information, by listening to the weather information and weather warnings from Met Éireann.

Visit www.flooding.ie for practical guidance for homeowners and businesses who may be at risk from flooding.