People whose homes are repeatedly flooded should have the option of asking the State to buy them out, Minister for Housing James Browne has said. The Minister said complex and expensive flood-relief schemes were not always the best solution and alternatives needed to be considered. “We’re certainly encouraging the OPW (Office of Public Works) to look at it as one option and to engage with local people,” he said. “These flood projects are very expensive and sometimes there are cheaper ways of doing it,” he said. “In terms of purchasing homes, I think where that is the most cost-effective and also something that could work for the local community, that should be an option.

Source: The Irish Times February 26, 2026 15:29 UTC