OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Responsibilities for Flood Risk Management
A range of authorities, organisations and stakeholders have responsibilities for managing flood risk. Some of the key areas of responsibility are outlined below.
National Lead Agency
The Government decided in September 2004 that the Office of Public Works (OPW) should assume the role as lead agency for flood risk management in Ireland. While this role does not mean that the OPW is directly responsible for all aspects of flood management, it does give us a role in coordinating the national flood risk management direction and the actions and activities of Government Departments, the Local Authorities and other key stakeholders.
Report of the Flood Policy Review Group
These roles are additional to our previous operational roles, as explained below.
Flooding and Flood Defences - Rivers
The OPW has powers to fund or take measures to reduce the risk of flooding under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 and the Amendment to the Act of 1995. In recent times, these powers have been exercised, in partnership with the relevant Local Authorities, to put in place flood relief schemes, such as those recently completed in Kilkenny and along the Tolka River in the Dublin area. Once completed, the OPW has a responsibility for the maintenance of the flood relief schemes. The Local Authorities, like the OPW, also have powers to undertake flood relief works under the Local Government Acts.
Flooding and Flood Defences – Coasts
The OPW has powers to implement works to reduce the risk of flooding in coastal areas. The Local Authorities also have such powers under the Local Government Acts.
Coastal Erosion
Managing coastal erosion is primarily the responsibility of the OPW which has powers to implement works to reduce the risk of flooding in coastal areas. The local authorities also have such powers under the Local Government Acts.
Land Drainage and River Maintenance
Under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 the OPW undertook a number of arterial drainage schemes to improve land for agricultural production. The OPW has a statutory duty to maintain these schemes, which is delivered through their arterial drainage maintenance programme. The OPW does not have powers to undertake river or channel maintenance other than where these rivers form part of an arterial drainage scheme or flood relief schemes.
Drainage Districts - These are areas where drainage schemes to improve for agricultural purposes were conducted and managed by the Loacl Authorities in the area. The duty of maintenance lies with the Local Authorities.
In other areas, the responsibility for the condition of the channel and riverbanks typically rests with the riparian owner.
Storm Water Drainage
The Local Authorities are responsible for the provision and maintenance of the storm water drainage systems within their jurisdiction.