https://oic.ie/en/ombudsman-decision/dd6e5-ken-foxe-right-to-know-office-of-public-works-the-opw
Flood Relief Schemes
AIE Refusal: OPW, National Flood Forecasting & Warning Service Steering Group
Sent to appeal, 8/2/25
OPW flood related open data
https://www.floodinfo.ie/open-spatial-data-portal
In a number of cases flood related data is not
- open due to commercial sensitivities
- published on data.gov.ie
https://www.floodinfo.ie/open-spatial-data-portal/data-catalogue
Flood related data flagged as Commercially Sensitive Information
Update: (10/2/2025)
By way of clarification and prior to a decision being made on your requests under AIE and Open Data, I attach a spreadsheet with some details on access to these datasets.
The licences and formats have been reviewed and updated in most cases. On review a number of datasets contain identical data to datasets already available and have been removed from the data catalogue. A decision has been made to apply certain other changes, however some work remains to be done to prepare these for publication.
Some datasets have been removed because they are based on licensed datasets from third parties or have been superseded.
Some datasets have been reviewed and a significant amount of verification would be required before these could be relied on.
Regarding the grounds of Commercial Sensitivity, notwithstanding the limitations of the data set out in the disclaimer on Floodinfo, if the data were made available under a commercial license it could be immediately used by insurance companies and banks to restrict or curtail access to financial products and also to classify property and have an impact on the financial interests of individuals and businesses. There organisations are of course free to make their own determinations based on their own data and analysis.
Note: OPW have stated that following AIE/ODD request, a number of the datasets have been removed from the OPW data catalogue. As of 25 Sept 2024 — Open Spatial Data Catalogue. Showing 1 to 10 of 282 entries
Saved OPW Catalogue as at 10/2/25
Midleton Flood Relief Scheme – Storm Babet Flood Event Report
Consent Requirements – Construction/Alteration of Watercourse Infrastructure
Published on 9 January 2018
Last updated on 24 March 2022
- Introduction
- Restrictions on the Construction or Alteration of Bridges and Culverts
- Modification or Relocation of Watercourse, Embankment or Other Works
- Restrictions on the Erection/Alteration of Weirs
- Further Information and Forms
Introduction
The OPW seeks to maintain the existing conveyance and storage capacities of channels and floodplains. The design and construction of bridges and culverts should be such that flood risks up- and / or down-stream are not increased, or, where no other viable options exist, are restricted to acceptable levels, and should comply with any flood risk management objectives and plans established for the area.
Restrictions on the Construction or Alteration of Bridges and Culverts
Section 50: Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 The consent of the Commissioners is required by bodies and persons proposing to carry out construction/alteration works on bridges and culverts.
Modification or Relocation of Watercourse, Embankment or Other Works
Section 9: Arterial Drainage Amendment Act, 1995 The Commissioners may consent to alterations to existing watercourses or structures in Drainage Schemes if the proposed works would not increase the risk of flooding or have a negative impact on drainage of land. This section applies to regrading or relocation of watercourses, replacement or relocation of embankments and various other works on Drainage Schemes. Applications under this section are dealt with on a case by case basis, and applications should be addressed to the appropriate OPW regional office.
Restrictions on the Erection/Alteration of Weirs
Section 47: Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 Any person planning to erect or alter a weir must first get consent from the Commissioners or all the affected landowners. The Commissioners may grant consent only where the applicant meets stringent requirements. The ESB is exempt from this requirement as a separate statutory process is in place.
Further Information and Forms
- Examples of Applications
- Reference Information and Technical Guidance Material for Applicants
- Hydrometric and Hydrological Data
- Reported Flood Event Data on FloodInfo.ie
Section 50 brochure
Section 50 Application Form – PDF
Section 50 Application Form – Word
AIE 4/4/23
Under the AIE Regs to request copies of
1) all Section 50s granted
2) all Section 50s refused
3) all Section 9s granted
4) all Section 9s refused
5) all Section 47s granted
6) all Section 47s refused
Please include the initial Application Form AND the OPW documents granting/ refusing the consent
For the purposes if this AIE, please consider the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date
For the purposes of this AIE, active disclosure via publication of consents on gov.ie or similar will suffice
Appeal against OPW refusal to release correspondence between the Office of Public Works and the staff of, including the members of the Executive of Roscommon County Council and/or the elected members of Roscommon County Council concerning flooding and/or proposed flood relief works at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon
West Cork Flood Relief Schemes
Non-Return Valves
• River Ilen (Skibbereen) Flood Relief Scheme (also known as the Skibbereen FRS)
• River Bandon Flood Relief Scheme (also known as the Bandon FRS)
• Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme (also known as the Clonakilty FRS)
These schemes were built under the OPW powers of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 & as amended in 1995.
The above schemes are now in the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) phase.
OPW: Engineering Consultancy Services – East Region Embankments – Survey and Data Processing
Flood Data – Access to Data, Data Usage and the Flood Map Review Programme
27th January 2023
