Written answers

Thursday, 21 January 2021

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Flood Prevention Measures

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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102. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the meeting between the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine concerning Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3259/21]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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104. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 80 of 14 January, if he can justify the spending of the minor works flood mitigation scheme funds in view of the fact that the last minor works to construct a flood embankment was a failure and lead to the relocation of a family; if he is of the view that a minor works flood mitigation scheme application is an appropriate scheme to deal with rising groundwater rather than fluvial flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3431/21]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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106. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding provided by the OPW for the construction of a bund around a family home at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3440/21]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 104 and 106 together.

I are very aware of the significant impact on communities and distress arising from flooding and the continuing risk of flooding. I have seen at first hand the impact of flooding on people and their homes and farms and I convey my deepest sympathy to all of those in the area who are being affected by flooding and the risk of flooding from Lough Funshinagh. Following severe flooding during the winter of 2015/2016, Roscommon County Council applied, in 2018, to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding to undertake a study at Lough Funshinagh and its environs under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Funding approval in the amount of €72,000 was given and Roscommon County Council subsequently appointed Malachy Walsh and Partners to carry out this commission. Funding for this type of exploratory work is important to identify possible engineering solutions that meet the environmental and economic requirements in advance of progressing with engineering solutions.

A range of flood mitigation options have been considered for Lough Funshinagh. It was determined that the options were not economically or environmentally sustainable. I am advised that the current high water levels, while rare, are within the naturally occurring range. There is no evidence to suggest that the flooding was due to an abnormal decrease in the outflow rate from the Lough other than that due to possible seasonal variation in the subsurface water level.

I am advised by my Office that the OPW did not provide funding for works at the property referred to by the Deputy, I understand these works may have been carried out by Roscommon County Council.

Where no engineering solution is planned or possible for a property that was worst affected by the flooding events in 2015/2016, the Government has approved to offer humanitarian assistance to assist families relocate their primary residence. Accordingly, those property-owners in the locality of the Lough who have applied for the Government’s Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme are being advanced through this Scheme.

I met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D. and officials yesterday. We are very aware of the significant impact on the communities that flooding and the risk of flooding on Lough Funshinagh is having. I and my colleague discussed the issues in relation to Lough Funshinagh and continue to monitor the situation.

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