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Flood Risk Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Ceisteanna (288, 289)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

288. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the establishment and operation of the national flood forecasting and warning service unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22594/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

289. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the establishment and operation of the national flood forecasting and warning service unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22596/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.

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 comprises representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Met Éireann and the local authorities to steer and support the establishment of the new service. The Steering Group has agreed an implementation plan for the delivery of this service and there has been significant progress made to date in relation to its implementation. There are a number of subgroups reporting to the Steering Group which deal with technical, communications and legal issues.

Within Met Éireann, the Chief Hydrometeorologist is leading the establishment and development of the Flood Forecast Centre (FFC) and is currently supported by 7 hydrometeorologists and 1 Principal Meteorological Officer. The staffing complement at the FFC is now at 9 persons.

Met Éireann staff have developed prototype forecast models for all 36 Hydrometric Areas in Ireland using the preferred flood forecasting software. These have all been integrated into software that will automate the running of the models and the production of flood forecasts. The pre-operational version of the national scale flood forecast system was completed at the end of 2021. Testing, identification of data gaps and improvement of this system will continue to be carried out. This will also involve close liaison with end users (primarily local authorities) to provide feedback on what services they will require from the system.

When fully operational, this service will be of significant benefit to communities and individuals to prepare for and lessen the impact of flooding. The service will deal with flood forecasting from fluvial and coastal sources and when established it will involve the issuing of flood forecasts and general alerts at both national and catchment scales. Existing flood forecasting and warning systems and arrangements will continue to be maintained until the national service is fully operational.

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