Flood Prevention Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Questions (72)

Denis Naughten

Question:

72. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures which the OPW plan to take to address the flooding of homes and farmland at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32235/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I am advised by my Office that, following severe flooding during the winter of 2015/2016, Roscommon County Council applied, in 2018, to the Office of Public Works for funding to undertake a study at this location under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Approval and funding was given and Roscommon County Council subsequently appointed Malachy Walsh and Partners to carry out this commission.  The report was submitted to the Office of Public Works who carried out a review in July 2020.  The outcome of this review determined that:

- The study looked at seven possible flood mitigation measures, of which six fall below a cost-benefit of 1:1, and these are therefore not deemed to be cost effective.

- There was significant uncertainty that the other possible scheme would solve the flooding effectively for the property in question, and the property is likely to remain at residual risk of flooding. There is no cost effective solution to manage this residual risk, with the current emergency management of flood levels being managed by pumping. This option is therefore not considered to be economically or environmentally sustainable.

- Following the OPW’s review of the Flood Analysis Report on Lough Funshinagh, the property-owners who have applied for the Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme will now be advanced through this scheme. 

The Office of Public Works also understands, however, that there will remain a risk of possible prolonged flooding around the Lough, and have advised that it remains open to Roscommon County Council to make an application under the Minor Works Flood Mitigation Scheme should further measures be identified in the future that meet the scheme criteria to mitigate flooding.

A meeting is to take place shortly between Roscommon County Council and officials in the Office of Public Works.