Flood Risk Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2022

Thursday, 20 January 2022

Questions (34)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

34. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on a national policy on flooding which was to have regard to climate change and was committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2551/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Climate change projections indicate that flooding events are expected to become more frequent and severe in the future. This will have a considerable impact on flood risk in Ireland, particularly where our cities and most of our main towns are located either on the coast or alongside our estuaries or rivers. Following on from the review of national flood policy, launched in 2018, the OPW Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) are a roadmap for flood risk management measures that, in conjunction with flood risk schemes already constructed, will provide protection to approximately 95% of properties assessed to be at significant flood risk.

Building on the FRMPs, the OPW has published a Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management 2019 - 2024, in line with the requirements of the National Adaptation Framework and the Climate Action Plan 2019 . The Sectoral Plan approved by Government in October 2019 includes twenty-one actions that are being implemented during this Strategy to meet the objectives of ongoing research and assessment, adapting our flood risk management practice across Government to effectively manage the potential impacts of climate change on future flood risk.

An Interdepartmental Group to develop a national co-ordinated and integrated coastal change strategy has been established by the Government. It will identify measures to be considered for managing the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities, economies, heritage, culture and environment and will set out options and recommendations for the Government to consider. The OPW is jointly chairing the Interdepartmental Group with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Inter-Departmental Group is advancing the drafting and finalising of its report which will be presented to Government for their consideration.