Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 71 together.

Lough Funshinagh is a designated Special Area of Conservation Turlough, and has experienced increasingly severe flooding in recent years. These events, driven by extreme weather, have resulted in unprecedented water levels, flooding and flood risk to communities surrounding Lough Funshinagh.

In response to the increasing frequency and severity of flooding, Roscommon County Council working in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), has progressed a three-pronged approach to manage both the immediate and long-term flood risk, while ensuring compliance with environmental and planning legislation. This includes the provision of Individual Property Protection for those properties at flood risk, and Trap-bags which are ready to be deployed at locations surrounding the Lough.

Due to the significant flooding that occurred in the spring of 2024, the development of an Interim Flood Relief Scheme became the primary focus in advance of the permanent scheme. Planning permission for this interim scheme was received from An Coimisiún Pleanála, in January 2025, with the scheme activated in April of last year. The interim scheme is regulating the level of the Lough through overground pumping to the Cross River. Over the recent winter the pumping of some 2.3 billion litres of water, at a rate of up to 300 litres per second, has ensured that water levels at Lough Funshinagh have been effectively managed. In light of reduced water levels, the pumps were temporarily deactivated on 8th June 2026, in accordance with the scheme's planning consent.

Roscommon County Council, with funding from the OPW, is currently progressing the Lough Funshinagh Climate Adaptation Project (permanent scheme). The work, over recent months, by the scheme’s consultants on environmental surveys and assessments to manage constraints on the potential options has further developed the options, with archaeological geophysical surveys commencing recently. I met with the Council, elected members and the local community at Roscommon County Council last April, where I facilitated a briefing on the nine potential options.

A third Public Participation Day (PPD), organised by Roscommon County Council, took place in April of this year. Members of the local community and interested stakeholders were presented with the nine potential scheme options currently under assessment by the Council. The Council with their consultants are currently undertaking a technical evaluation and comparison of all nine options taking into account the feedback that was received during the PPD.

A further PPD to present the emerging preferred option is planned later this year, followed by the completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS). A planning application for the scheme is scheduled to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in late 2026, in-line with the project programme.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide the up-to-date position on advancing flood defences at a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51207/26]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The River Bride overtops its banks both upstream and downstream of Crookstown Bridge. During flood events, flow paths through properties result in flooding to some 23 properties, while local and regional roads are also affected. The road drainage is unable to discharge to the river during a flood event.

The 2014 Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme studied the flood risk at Crookstown and did not identify a viable major scheme to manage the flood risk. It recommended localised flood mitigation measures are progressed through the Office of Public Works (OPW), Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This scheme does not extend to mitigating flooding to the road network.

Since 2009, under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, the OPW has approved some €7.4 million funding to Cork County for some 57 projects. Cork County Council, with OPW funding for nine staff to support the delivery of their programme of flood relief schemes, is leading the Crookstown Flood Relief Scheme.

Funding of €295,027 was approved by the OPW in 2021 under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection for minor embankment and improvement works, construction of a flood defence, a storm water pumping station, new drainage pipes and associated works at Crookstown. In its approval, the OPW highlighted these works are a significant interim measure to mitigate flood damage in advance of further works.

Although this funding has not yet been drawn down, Cork County Council has engaged with its consultants to design options for further works. While an option has been identified, the Council continues to engage with relevant funding partners, including the Department of Transport, and will continue to consider additional funding sources for these further works.

The funding approved by the OPW remains available to Cork County Council, and it remains open to the Council to make a further application to the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

On 25th May 2026, I announced revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. These revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2m and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria which lowers the required threshold for viable solutions.

On the same date, I also announced details of once-off funding of €200,000 to Cork County Council to remove river conveyance blockages in County Cork.