AQW 40003/22-27

Dr Steve Aiken OBE
Ulster Unionist Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 06/02/2026
Answered On Date: 04/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) any request received from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development or the Department for Infrastructure, for updates of flooding maps provided by Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI); and (ii) the last time the OSNI flooding modelling was updated.

Answer:

Responsibility for the development, maintenance, and publication of flood mapping rests solely with my Department. Flood hazard mapping for all river, coastal and surface water sources have been developed using predictive computer‑modelling techniques. These modelling methods are widely used by flood management authorities across these islands, ensuring alignment with recognised best practice.

Flood maps and models are reviewed on a six‑year rolling cycle and updated as necessary to maintain the most accurate representation of flood risk. The flood hazard mapping are published on the Flood Maps NI web viewer and shared with our business partners, Land and Property Services Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, who commercially license the data as digital products.

The most recent update to the flood mapping was for the Antrim town area and this was completed on 5 February 2026.