As part of the overall response to Flood Risk Management, the Government agreed to the establishment of a National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service (NFFWS). The service will deal with flood forecasting from both fluvial (river) and coastal sources. When fully operational, it will involve the issuing of flood forecasts and general alerts.
A Steering Group, chaired by the OPW, has been established to steer, support and oversee the establishment of the new service. The Steering Group includes representatives from the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government (DHPLG), Met Éireann and the Local Authorities. There are a number of subgroups reporting to the Steering Group which deal with technical, communications and legal issues. The Steering Group has met on twenty-one occasions. To date, eight specialist staff have been recruited for Met Eireann which include five Hydrometeorologists and one Chief Hydroeteorologist. Further recruitment is ongoing to fill other specialised posts. In the interim period, existing flood forecasting and warning systems and arrangements are being maintained.