It should be an option for the Office of Public Works (OPW) to buy homes at risk of repeated flooding and have them demolished to create flood areas rather than constantly trying to protect them with expensive flood defences that can take decades to deliver, according to Minister for Local Government James Browne.
He said this option is not considered enough as a response to flooding.
Speaking at Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dublin, Mr Browne said that if purchasing homes is the most cost-effective response, and if it is something that can work for a community, then it should be an option and it needs to be looked at.
"Flood projects are very, very expensive. Sometimes there are cheaper ways of doing it, that might be welcomed by local communities," he said.
The minister referred to his own town of Enniscorthy in Co Wexford, which suffered catastrophic flooding after Storm Chandra last month.
He said there are a number of homes in the town that are going to be constantly flooded and it is going to be expensive to protect them.
"I'm not saying they should definitely be bought out. But I think there could be engagement with the homeowners to see what would work for them.
"We also need to consider what would be the most environmentally sound and cheapest option for the OPW.
"We need to be innovative, and it is important to be able to move with speed," Mr Browne said.
The minister said that some homeowners in Enniscorthy have asked about the Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme.
The humanitarian assistance programme helps people to relocate if their homes are uninhabitable because of flood risk.
"We are certainly encouraging the OPW to look at it as one option and to engage with local people about it," he said.
