The Comptroller and Auditor General has highlighted a failure to meet a deadline under the European Union's Flood Directive, which requires each member state to publish its Flood Risk Management Plans by March 2016.

Seamus McCarthy was outlining his assessment of strategic planning for flood risk management to the Oirechtas Public Accounts Committee.

However, Clare McGrath, Chairman of the Office of Public Works, told the committee that under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management programme, the plans would be finalised by the end of this year, which would be nine months after the deadline for the six-year programme.

There was also criticism of past estimates for pilot flood management projects, which ran significantly over budget.

Fianna Fáil TD Seán Fleming and Chairmain of PAC, said pilot projects were estimated at €3.5m but ended up costing €9.1m.

Ms McGrath told the committee that the pilot projects were about learning how to deliver the CFRAM project for the country.

The project began in 2011.

She acknowledged that the budget of €3.5m for the pilot projects were far less than required, but said they informed the more accurate assessment for the budget for the national CFRAM programme, which is now set at €30m.

Independent TD Catherine Connolly raised concerns that a high-level steering group did not meet between 2010 and 2014.

She also pointed to delays in delivering the original pilot projects.

Ms McGrath said this group should have gone into recess to assess issues which had emerged like hydraulic modelling.

The Comptroller and Auditor General criticised an overall lack of strategic planning for flood risk assessment.

"It's a concern that 12 years on from the report of the Flood Policy Review Group and eight years on from the EU Flood Directive, that substantial expenditure commitments continue to be made without the full benefit of the comprehensive analysis and strategic plans that will emerge from the CFRAM programme."

Ms McGrath said that demountable flood defences do provide a sufficient level of protection for homes.

She was responding to questions from Fine Gael's Peter Burke about communities which are still unable to get insurance.

Ms McGrath said a memo of understanding had been drawn up with the OPW and Insurance Ireland, and the OPW provided information on schemes as they are completed.