John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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26. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the Office of Emergency Planning has reviewed plans for responding to heavy snow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60219/25]

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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44. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the Office of Emergency Planning has reviewed plans for responding to flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60218/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 44 together.

My Department is designated as the 'Lead Government Department', set out in the Government approved Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework (2017), in relation to the coordination of a response to severe weather, including flooding and snow, and certain other emergencies at national level where warranted. Other Departments have lead roles in respect of other specific types of emergencies, as set out in the SEM Framework.

My Department's National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) undertakes this function for exceptionally severe weather events, working closely with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Met Éireann. At a national level, my Department is responsible for the co-ordination of the ‘whole-of-Government’ response, facilitating collective decision making and ensuring aligned public safety messaging among a broad range of departments, organisations and groups who have a role to play in the emergency scenarios under its remit.

Local authorities are designated as a principal response agency as well as being 'lead agency' for coordinating the response to severe weather, as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006).

The arrangements for emergency management have evolved and, when called upon, are seen as having worked well, in particular the responses to flooding, heavy snow and other severe weather events, as well as to fire and other emergencies led by local authorities. All local authorities have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies. Local authorities also have a Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings and OPW and EFAS flood advisory/ warnings and High Tide Advisories.

In preparation for Winter 2025/26, I called a special meeting of the membership of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group on 2 October, attended by all members including the local authorities, where each sector outlined their preparations for the winter season.

My Department has also reviewed all local authority Severe Weather and Flood Plan, and organised a workshop earlier this month to support the continued development of these plans and to confirm winter preparedness.