Geoscience for Planning – Data & Maps
Geological Survey Ireland is the national earth science knowledge centre and is a division of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. We provide independent geological information and interpretation and gather various data for that purpose.
We recommend using our various datasets when conducting the EIAR, SEA, planning and scoping processes for developments, plans and policies. This data can add to the content and robustness of the environmental assessment process.
Use of our data or maps should be attributed correctly. Please refer to each individual dataset’s metadata for correct attribution.
Should development go ahead, all other factors considered, we would much appreciate a copy of reports detailing any site investigations carried out. The data would be redacted for confidentiality and added to Geological Survey Ireland’s national database of site investigation boreholes, implemented to provide a better service to the civil engineering sector. Data can be sent to the Geological Mapping Unit via email (GeologicalMappingInfo[AT]gsi.ie).
Should any significant bedrock cuttings be created, we would ask that they will be designed to remain visible as rock exposure rather than covered with soil and vegetated, in accordance with safety guidelines and engineering constraints. In areas where natural exposures are few, or deeply weathered, this measure would allow on-going improvement of geological knowledge of the subsurface and could be included as additional sites of the geoheritage dataset, if appropriate. Alternatively, we ask that a digital photographic record of significant new excavations could be provided. Potential visits from Geological Survey Ireland to personally document exposures could also be arranged.
Decision Process
- Consider the type of Environmental assessment, plan or policy you are preparing and identify the relevant topic (under ‘Data by Environmental Assessment Topic’).
- Follow links to the relevant datasets for your application.
- Consider all caveats and limitations of the data we’ve made available.
- Is the available data sufficient for your assessments?Yes – Use Geological Survey Ireland datasets as necessary in the planning or assessment process; correctly attributed to Geological Survey Ireland. No – Arrange completion of additional site investigations, using Geological Survey Ireland datasets as a starting point
- Are there more datasets to consider? Yes – return to step 2 No – Do you need further assistance? (contact us at gsiplanning[AT]gsi.ie).
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Data by Environmental Assessment Topic
Find publicly available data from each of our programme areas arranged by Environmental Impact Assessment and Planning topic appropriate for preparation and assessment of proposed Developments, Plans and Policies.
Find Data
Understand Limitations on Our Data
Whilst we make every attempt to ensure that the information contained in both our responses and our publicly available datasets is correct, Geological Survey Ireland is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Our datasets are liable to change as we collect more data, and complete higher resolution surveys across the country. In some cases, further site-specific investigations should be undertaken, subject to the caveats associated with our different datasets and the type of development.
All of our datasets available via our web viewers contain detailed metadata which is available and should be considered when interpreting or using our data.
Some individual datasets also contain specific caveats of use and are scale specific, intended for use at local, regional, or national scale assessments only. It is the responsibility of the user to be cognisant of, and take into consideration these limitations.
The publicly available data referenced/presented here, should in no way be construed as Geological Survey Ireland support for or objection to a proposed development or plan. The data are made freely available to all and can be used as independent scientific data in assessments, plans or policies. It should be noted that in many cases these data are a baseline or starting point for further site specific assessments.
While we endeavour to have our data quickly and readily available online there may be some instances where we have data relating to current or ongoing projects that is not available online but can be requested by email to gsiplanning[at]gsi.ie.
Examples of GSI’s Geoheritage Data used in Planning
Local authorities are critical partners of the Geological Heritage Programme of Geological Survey Ireland in protecting, through the planning system, those County Geoheritage Sites (CGSs) which fall within their county limits. In many cases, these are sites of high amenity or educational value, already zoned or listed in the plan. Inclusion in the County Development Plan (CDP) provides protection of the sites against potentially damaging developments that normally require planning permission, such as building, quarrying, landfilling or forestry. It is also important that the democratic process of public consultation and approval by councillors of the CDP allows stakeholders in the sites and the local community can buy into the process.
As the CGS is a non-statutory classification, but is covered by planning policies that protect and promote them, there are no specific restrictions on what a landowner can do with a geological heritage site. Any proposed development that requires planning permission simply flags the geological heritage interest of the site and allows it to be considered in any decision along with any other competing interests and values. It provides the opportunity for consultation and dialogue if any changes are proposed. It provides no protection from, for example, a farmer who wishes to clear a field of mushroom rocks, erratic boulders, or exposed geology for the purpose of replanting with grass other than, perhaps, an appreciation of what might be lost.
With the improved awareness by stakeholders of Geological Survey Ireland’s role as a statutory consultee (under its parent government department), the CGS route has been demonstrated to be working quite effectively as a means to protect and promote geological heritage. Most commonly, this is through consultation with quarry operators, resulting in their willingness to leave a representative rock face intact, and sometimes to further promote the geology at the end of a quarry’s life. In some cases, consultation has enabled the re-routing or re-positioning of components of national infrastructure to avoid potential impact on a CGS.
Positive outcomes from such engagement through the planning process have been relatively frequent, and some examples include:
- Tincone CGS, County Wexford.
- Nags Head Quarry CGS, Naul County Dublin.
- Trim Esker CGS, County Meath.
- Bruse Hill Quarry CGS and Blackwater Valley CGS, County Cavan.
The consideration of geological heritage in the planning system has been seen recently in projects that are key parts of government policy including the National Development Plan 2021-2030, Climate Action Plan 2021, the National Planning Framework 2040 and the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2016-2035 among others.
Further Reading