Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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405. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a location (details supplied) is showing on the flood plain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64727/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The OPW, through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, carried out the largest ever flood risk study in Ireland to date, which assessed 80% of properties at risk from Ireland’s main causes of flooding. The OPW Flood Maps, that show the flood risk for 300 communities, are a key output of the study together with 29 Flood Risk Management Plans, with the proposed flood relief measures to address the flood risk in each community.

The Flood Maps are available to the public to view at www.floodinfo.ie. However, it is important to note that they are community based maps. The maps were not designed to designate individual properties at risk. The maps show the probable extent of flooding based on current and future projections.

In recent correspondence on this matter the Deputy has raised the issue of flood insurance. As I have set out in my response to the correspondence, the Disclaimer and Conditions for Use of OPW flood maps on www.floodinfo.ie includes a provision that users of the website must not use the flood maps, or any other content of the website for commercial purposes. As such, the Disclaimer prevents insurance companies from using the flood maps generated by the OPW.

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. Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry, 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.

Insurance Ireland operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01 567 7000.

The Department of Finance has the lead policy responsibility for insurance matters, including flood insurance. The Department of Finance engages with the insurance industry on all aspects of insurance reform, including flood cover issues and efforts continue to be made to encourage a responsive approach to the provision of flood insurance from the insurance industry. In accordance with the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive), the Government cannot direct the provision or pricing of insurance products.

The OPW in partnership with Galway County Council have appointed Arup in conjunction with Hydro-Environmental Ltd. to assess, develop and design a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Ballinasloe. Ryan Hanley Ltd. has also been appointed to undertake the environmental appraisals for the scheme. The Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme is currently at scheme development and preliminary design stage with the Statutory Public Exhibition period scheduled to commence in Q2 2026. Further information on this Scheme is available at, www.floodinfo.ie/ballinasloefrs.

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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406. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on securing a consultant to perform the assessment of the flood mitigations for a location (details supplied) along with others impacted by the River Dower in the locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65060/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk in Ireland to date, was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. The 29 Flood Risk Management Plans were a key output of CFRAM, identifying proposed flood relief measures nationwide.

It is not possible to progress all 150 new and additional flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the required professional and specialised engineering skills in the OPW, local authorities, and in the consultancy market. However, the Government is committed to funding these projects through the €1.3bn available under the National Development Plan.

Since 2018, and working with local authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning or construction.

To date, the OPW has completed nine flood relief schemes in County Cork. This includes the Bandon, Clonakilty, Douglas, Dunmanway, Fermoy North, Fermoy South, Mallow North, Mallow South & West, and Skibbereen flood relief schemes. These completed schemes protect 1,750 properties from flooding.

Currently, there are ten major flood relief schemes at scoping, development and design, or construction stage in County Cork: Ballinhassig, Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney, Bantry, Blackpool, Carrigaline, Glashaboy, Lower Lee (Cork City), Macroom, Midleton, and Morrison’s Island. Once completed, these ten schemes will provide protection to a further circa 3,800 properties, with an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €380m.

There are also nine further proposed flood relief schemes in the next phase known as Tranche 2, including Castlemartyr. As Mogeely is a short distance upstream of Castlemartyr, an existing Area of Potentially Significant Flood Risk (APSFR), the Castlemartyr APSFR has been extended to include the village of Mogeely, as well as the village of Ladysbridge.

The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (Minor Works Scheme) was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.

To date, some €7m has been approved for projects in County Cork under the Minor Works scheme. Further details are available at

In September 2024, the OPW approved funding of €81,800 under the Minor Works Scheme for flood mitigation works in Castlemartyr. Works included maintenance of the river channel and the removal of overhanging/fallen trees that were obstructing the river flow. In August 2025, the OPW also approved funding of €116,200 under the Minor Works Scheme for a study to explore the possibility of flood mitigation solutions in the catchment upstream of Mogeely. Projects subject to approved funding are the responsibility of the relevant local authority to advance.

The OPW is actively engaging with delivery partners and other stakeholders on lessons learned and is piloting a new delivery model in Counties Donegal and Kilkenny to inform delivery of future Tranche 2 schemes nationally.

The OPW has ongoing engagement with Cork County Council in relation to flood risk at Mogeely, Castlemartyr, and other communities in Cork and the optimal means of implementing flood relief measures for these areas.