Policy information
Flood Risk: Policy and Co-ordination
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In 2004, the government, following a wide-ranging inter-departmental review of national flood risk management policy, approved the Report of the Flood Policy Review Group.
The recommendations of the Report included appointment of the OPW as lead agency for co-ordinating delivery of flood risk management policy. The OPW carries out this role by co-ordinating the implementation of flood risk management policy and measures across three strategic areas:
- Prevention - avoiding construction in flood-prone areas.
- Protection - taking feasible measures to protect areas against flooding.
- Preparedness - planning and responding to reduce the impacts of flood events.
Image: Prevention Protection Prepardness
While policy responses, required across a wide range of issues are led by the relevant government department and state agency, the OPW chairs the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group. This is a cross sectoral group, that co-ordinates flood policy development and implementation on a Whole of Government approach with advice and expertise from the OPW professional engineering staff.
The Inter-Departmental Flood Policy Coordination Group is chaired by the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief and the role of the Group is to take a whole of Government approach to the issue of Flood Policy.
In 2004, the government, following a wide-ranging inter-departmental review of national flood risk management policy, approved the Report of the Flood Policy Review Group.
The recommendations of the Report included appointment of the OPW as lead agency for delivery of flood risk management policy. This includes close liaison with a range of local authorities, organisations and stakeholders that also have responsibilities for managing flood risk.
Implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report has included:
- the Planning System and Flood Risk Management guidelines published in 2009. "Plan, prepare, protect" was published in 2006 ( www.flooding.ie ) to provide practical advice to the public on how to prepare for potential flooding (revision issued in 2014)
- guidelines and templates for flood event emergency response plans were prepared in 2008 by the OPW and Department of the Housing, Community and Local Government under the Framework for Major Emergency Management (revision issued in 2013)
- the national past flood event database ( www.floodmaps.ie ) was launched in 2006 to promote awareness of flooding
- the national Tide and Storm Surge Forecasting Service was initiated in 2009 by the OPW, which now provides Local Authorities with two to three days’ advance warning of impending coastal surge events
- real time water level information on all main river catchments was launched in 2013 through OPW’s portal www.waterlevel.ie
- Ireland, via the OPW, joined the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) partner network in 2010, and receive flood notifications issued where a high probability for flooding is forecast
- completed in 2011 a Strategic Review of the Feasibility and Options for Flood Forecasting and Warning in Ireland . The Government agreed to the establishment of this service on 26 January 2016.
The OPW is also the national authority for the implementation of the EU Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks [2007/60/EC] which was transposed into Irish law by the EU (Assessment and Management of Flood Risks) Regulations SI 122 of 2010, as amended. An objective of the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is to achieve the requirements of the EU Flood Directive .
The functions and responsibilities in relation to coastal protection and coastal flooding transferred from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the OPW on 1 January 2009.
The main roles for the OPW in this area are presently:
• undertaking risk assessments associated with coastal flooding and coastal erosion at selected coastal sites making use of innovative technologies and methodologies
• provision of an advisory service in relation to coastal flooding and coastal erosion to support the preparation of annual coastal protection funding programmes, and to inform broader policy development
• maintenance of coastal protection schemes constructed under the Coast Protection Act, 1963
With regard to coastal erosion and future changes in the inter-tidal zone, the Government established an Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy, jointly chaired by the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This Group was tasked with scoping out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group reported to Government in October, 2023 and its report is available here .
In 2009, with advice from the OPW, the (then) Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government produced the Guidelines on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management , published under Section 28 of the Planning Acts. The Guidelines set out a transparent and robust framework for the consideration of flood risk in planning and development management.
The OPW reviews on an ongoing basis forward planning documents, such as development plans and local area plans, to help ensure that the 2009 Guidelines are implemented to promote sustainable development and avoid inappropriate development in floodplains. The OPW also provides support to the planning authorities through assistance with training and continuous professional development events, and direct advice as required.
The flood maps developed by the OPW through the ‘CFRAM’ Programme and other projects, and published on the OPW flood information portal floodinfo.ie , provide useful support to planning authorities in the definition of the Flood Zones that inform the planning of appropriate development.
The OPW is not a statutory consultee for individual planning applications, and does not review applications other than where they may directly affect OPW activities.
For further advice on the Guidelines and the OPW role in planning and development management, please contact floodplanning@opw.ie .