Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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97. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an update on timeline for the delivery of Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and related flood defence projects in county Louth; if he is aware of the issues being caused by the CFRAM maps being used by insurance companies to refuse to provide home insurance in some areas; the engagement there has been with other departments and agencies in relation to resolving this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27329/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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In 2019, the Bellurgan Flood Relief Scheme was completed and is protecting 35 properties from significant flood risk.

Through the agreed delivery model, and with OPW funding for six staff, Louth County Council is leading the delivery of five flood relief schemes at Dundalk/Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford/ Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, from the €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.

The Dundalk/Blackrock South scheme is to protect 1,880 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020. The design options for this scheme are expected to be presented to the public in Q3, 2025 and a preferred option presented in mid-2026. The planning application is expected to be submitted in Q2, 2027.

The combined Drogheda and Baltray Scheme is to protect 425 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in September, 2021. The scope of the area for the scheme has recently been extended and Louth County Council is working with its consultants to scope the additional analysis and assessments required and to inform the programme for the scheme.

A potential viable option for the Ardee Flood Relief Scheme to protect some 30 properties is currently under review by the OPW.

Louth County Council and the OPW are reviewing requirements for a brief to procure engineering and environmental consultants for the Carlingford and Greenore Scheme. The Council will make an application to the OPW for funding for any viable options that provide interim mitigation measures that may improve the conveyance characteristics of the Carlingford drainage system.

The OPW is finalising its review of the flood risk in Annagassan and Termonfeckin and will discuss the results with Louth County Council.

Since 2009, funding of some €1.9 million has been approved for Louth County Council under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, for 26 projects.

The OPW flood maps are available for the public to view on www.floodinfo.ie/map-review/. They are community based maps and were not designed to designate individual properties at risk. The maps show the probable extent of flooding based on future projections. The Disclaimer and Conditions for Use of the OPW Flood Maps includes that users of the website must not use the flood maps, or any other content of the website for commercial purposes, including insurance.

The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk that it is willing to underwrite in relation to individual properties. It has highlighted to the OPW that it does not use the OPW flood maps to inform its flood modelling. The decision on whether to offer insurance, 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.