Addressing Ireland's growing flood protection gap: Insights from the Central Bank's latest report
The Central Bank of Ireland recently published the Flood Protection Gap Report, which presents an in-depth analysis of the current and projected gaps in flood protection. Read on to learn more about JBA Group’s involvement in the project.
Rising costs, insurance challenges, and the impact of climate change
Looking ahead, Ireland will face greater challenges as climate change intensifies. To mitigate this, we must strengthen both physical flood defences and financial resilience. Building robust flood protection and ensuring insurance accessibility will require coordinated efforts from all stakeholders involved in flood risk management.
Our colleagues at JBA Risk Management, in collaboration with Gamma and the Central Bank of Ireland, contributed detailed, high-resolution risk data that accounts for coastal, river, and surface water flooding to the recently published Flood Protection Gap Report.
The 'flood protection gap' refers to the disparity between the total economic cost of flood damage in Ireland and the portion covered by insurance. The report examines the present-day scenario and how this might change in the future, particularly in light of climate change.
The work analyses the accessibility of flood insurance and answers the question: if a home or commercial property seeks to have flood cover on their property insurance today, will it be available?
The report’s findings offer valuable insights:
- Currently, 1 in 20 buildings in Ireland struggle to access flood insurance.
- The average annual cost of inland flooding (river and surface water) is estimated at €101 million. In more severe events, losses could reach up to €510 million, an occurrence expected roughly once every 25 years.
- As climate change progresses, Ireland is likely to experience increased rainfall, leading to more frequent and severe flood events, further widening the flood protection gap.
Visit our What We Do page for more information on our work in Flood Risk, Resilience, and Water Management, or contact us, and one of the team will contact you.
Projects
This project saw us collaborate with local experts to review the environmental and climate change considerations of project proposals seeking EU financing in Romania.
Find out more
Our work at Killinarden Park included enhancements such as a new cycle track, illuminated walking paths, and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), creating a more welcoming space that fosters community engagement and encourages greater use of the park.
Find out more
Covering an area of approximately 141 hectares, the site of the proposed Oola solar farm was in close proximity to a number of watercourses that presented a flood risk to the development. We were appointed to carry out an FRA to support the planning application for the site.
Find out more
Read more about how we provided Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments to support the planning application of Brownsbarn residential development.
Find out more
This multiple lot project required close collaboration between our software and surveying service teams, to support surveys into land use and land coverage change in the EU.
Find out more
Our ecologists provided a range of expertise to establish the baseline biodiversity of Lough Muckno to ensure its long-term protection and restore biodiversity. Read on to find out more.
Find out more
As Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) consultants for the Meath County Development Plan, this project saw us deliver a range of services, calling on expertise from across our disciplines.
Find out more
A multi-disciplinary project which saw collaboration across our landscape, ecology and environmental teams to ensure the development of a new logistics park set the standards for sustainability.
Find out more
A collaborative coastal protection scheme to improve and develop existing coastal defences in Lahinch, in order to build resilience to storms and flooding.
Find out more
Delivering integrated sustainable drainage design to support the development of Myrtle Square and Convent Lane, a green pedestrian space in the heart of Dún Laoghaire town.
Find out more
A detailed design scheme dedicated to combining rural character with emerging urban design in support of the construction of Farranshock Park - an up upcoming development of family homes located close to Mullingar.
Find out more
Delivering county-wide culvert inspections, to support increased understanding of the risks posed by blockage and the suitability of screen designs.
Find out more
This first-of-its-kind project saw our teams produce an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) to support a planning application, which would involve the diversion and enhancement of Powerstown stream.
Find out more
This multi-phase project saw our teams conduct baseline biodiversity surveys to provide management recommendations at ten historic sites across Ireland.
Find out more
Environmental screening to support the proposed development of a pedestrian underpass at Ballygarran as part of the Tralee to Fenit Greenway.
Find out more
A detailed flood investigation to identify potential sources of flood risk on the N65 at Carrigahorig, which also included the proposal of mitigation measures to limit disruption.
Find out more
Providing expertise to support environmental procedures and licence applications for the demonstrator installation of hydrokinetic turbines on the River Shannon in Limerick.
Find out more
Combining our flood risk and hydraulic modelling expertise, this project saw our teams conduct two separate Flood Risk Assessments, which included innovative mitigation measures for a proposed Strategic Housing Development.
Find out more
