Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
148. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the Lough Funshinagh Flood Relief Scheme in County Roscommon; the timeline for progressing this project to Stage IV Implementation/Construction phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49514/23]
View answerRoscommon County Council is leading the response to the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh, Co. Roscommon.
Under my direction senior officials from the Office of Public Works (OPW) met with officials from Roscommon County Council during 2022 focusing on identifying possible approaches to a viable solution to manage the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh.
In December 2022 Roscommon County Council and the OPW agreed to establish an Expert Working Group to support and help to identify the pathway to finding a means of progressing a viable solution. The membership of this Expert Working Group includes cross departmental and agency representation.
The initial work of the Expert Group was to scope out the requirements for a commission to undertake the necessary surveys and investigations. This work is being informed by a review, by the OPW, of the evidence and research on the nature and functioning of Lough Funshinagh. The brief for the necessary surveys and investigations required have been progressed, but due to the current market conditions there has been difficulty procuring these services.
A Steering Group being led by the Council, with representation from the OPW oversee the work to identify a viable solution to manage the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh. The Steering Group has been meeting throughout the past year and is meeting again this week and will discuss progression of the necessary surveys and investigations and the estimated timelines to progress to implementation.
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.
