Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on plans to resolve long-term flooding at a location (details supplied); the engagement that he has had with other bodies and Government Departments to date in 2022; his intentions regarding the next steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46660/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Roscommon County Council is leading the response to the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh, Co. Roscommon and is being supported by relevant agencies, including the Office of Public Works.

On 18 May 2022, Mr. Joe Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council and Mr. Eugene Cummins, CEO, Roscommon County Council wrote to me highlighting the policy and legislative issues that Roscommon County Council believed needed to be addressed and amended to allow the Council pursue works at Lough Funshinagh.

As many of these issues are within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I referred these matters to Minister Darragh O’Brien T.D. for his early consideration and I highlighted that OPW officials were available to discuss these matters with his Department and with other key stakeholders, as may be appropriate. I also recently met with Minister Peter Burke T.D. and officials from his Department in this regard.

Under my direction senior officials from the OPW met with officials from Roscommon County Council on 20th June 2022 with those discussions focused on identifying possible approaches to a viable solution to manage the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh. There is on-going engagement with the Council and further meetings are being scheduled to follow up on the matters discussed.

On 7 July 2022, my officials and I met with representatives of the Lough Funshinagh Community and their elected representatives to hear their concerns and representations in relation to the situation at Lough Funshinagh and I reassured them of my continued support to finding a viable solution to the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh.

I can assure the Deputy that I am doing all that I can to support both the community and Roscommon County Council in progressing this matter to find an effective and sustainable solution to address the flooding risk in the area.