OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
What we do
The Office of Public Works is the lead State body in Ireland for Flood Risk Management. We have a number of important roles including co-ordinating activities of Government Departments, Local Authorities and other bodies and managing the implementation of the national flood risk management policy. This is based on the report of the Flood Policy Review group, which was published in 2003 and adopted by Government in 2004.
The EU Floods Directive was passed in 2007. The Directive will require Member States to undertake a number of measures, including the provision of flood risk maps within a specified period. The OPW has prepared a Regulatory Impact Analysis on the transposition of the EU Floods Directive into Irish law and a copy is available here: RIA on the Transposition of the EU Floods Directive
The Government decided in late 2008 to transfer the Coastal Zone Management Division from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food to the OPW.
Existing flood risks
We work to manage existing risks of flooding with the public and other bodies through:
- Provision of information to people and businesses at risk of flooding ( http://www.flooding.ie )
- Provision of information on historic floods ( http://www.floodmaps.ie )
- Collection and disemination of water level flow data ( http://www.opw.ie/hydro )
- Maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes carried out under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.
- Preparation, funding and execution of new schemes under the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act 1995.
- Assistance to Local Authorities in their response to areas at risk of flooding.
- Provision of maintenance for existing coastal protection schemes.
Future flood risk
We work to reduce the risk of flooding that may arise in the future by:
- Regulating works to weirs and bridges under sections 47 and 50 of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945.
- Providing information and guidance to Local Authoritites in the preparation of statutory development plans.
- Providing policy advice on floodplain and river development.
- Providing information on flood risk to Local Authorities and the public through the development of Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plans.
- Carrying out research e.g. to improve the estimation of flood flows.
- Provision of coastal defence schemes.
Other State bodies
- The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, through its planning division, provides guidelines to local authorities on sustainable development, including management of flood risks.
- Local Authorities:
- Prepare development plans for the future and manage development.
- Provide an emergency response during floods.
- Carry out works to protect the public and infrastructure from flooding.
- Maintain some drainage works.