Despite increased expenditure and significant activity, there is limited
evidence that flood risk management arrangements in Northern Ireland
are demonstrating long-term value for money in a systematic and
comprehensive way. That is among the findings of a report published
today (16 June 2026) by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Dorinnia Carville’s report examines how the Department for Infrastructure
and its partners are managing flood risk.
Flooding is one of the most significant natural hazards facing Northern
Ireland. Around 45,000 properties are currently located within river and
coastal flood plains, with thousands more properties at risk from
reservoirs and surface water flooding. Climate change is expected to
increase both the frequency and severity of these risks in the coming
decades.
The Department has reported increasing levels of investment in flood risk
management activities, with total expenditure reaching £96 million in
2024-25 (a 73 per cent increase since 2020–21). Most of this investment
relates to prevention and protection measures, which are the focus of
today’s report.
A number of issues are identified which are limiting the effectiveness of
current arrangements. The report notes that Flood Risk Management
Plans, which coordinate activity across a range of public bodies, have not
sufficiently focussed on defined and measurable outcomes. As a result, it
is difficult to evaluate both the long-term impact of measures which have
been delivered, and the consequences where measures have failed to be
delivered.
In addition, the Department’s oversight of applications for development of
homes and other buildings in areas of known flood risk is limited. The
Department does not have routine access to information, held at local
council level, needed to monitor whether appropriate conditions are being
adhered to.
Similarly, Flood Maps, a valued tool widely used by councils, developers
and the public for planning and managing flood risks, are not always
updated in a timely manner following completion of new flood defence schemes. The report notes that timely and accurate information is
important for providing assurance that flooding risks are being identified
and managed, thereby enhancing transparency and public confidence in
the wider planning system.
The impact of funding constraints on flood risk management is
acknowledged. The Living with Water Programme (LWWP), established in
2015, was intended to support delivery of a Strategic Drainage
Infrastructure Plan. However, LLWP is no longer operating as a structured
programme, and is instead being processed at a pace determined by
available budgets. The Department is also failing to consistently meet
targets for inspection and maintenance of flood defence assets, with the
most critical infrastructure being prioritised in response to resource
pressures.
Weaknesses in capital project delivery are also highlighted. Analysis of 21
completed flood alleviation schemes shows that only around one in five
projects was completed on time, with delays in some cases extending by
more than three years. Similarly, only a small proportion of projects were
delivered within close proximity of their estimated cost - final expenditure
for some schemes varied widely from initial projections, from 48 per cent
under to 118 per cent overspent.
Commenting on the report’s findings, Dorinnia Carville said:
“Flooding already poses a significant and growing risk to people, property
and infrastructure across Northern Ireland, and this risk is expected to
increase further as the climate changes. While the Department and its
partners have undertaken a significant programme of work, our report
highlights areas where arrangements can be strengthened.”
“In particular, there is a need for clearer outcome-focused planning,
improved oversight of development in flood risk areas, and more robust
delivery of flood defence schemes. Addressing these issues will help
ensure that public resources are used effectively ensuring better value for
money by investing in prevention rather than the costs of clean up and
support after flooding incidents, and ultimately ensure that Northern
Ireland is better prepared to manage flood risk in the future.”
ENDS
