Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
53. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the preparation of a planning application for a permanent solution to flooding at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9594/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on flood relief works at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9593/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 72 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.
The Council has developed a three-pronged approach to address the flood problem. This includes the provision of Individual Property Protection (IPP) for those properties at flood risk and Trap-bags installed at select locations surrounding the Lough. The OPW has approved funding of some €529k to provide these measures. 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. The €5.2m interim scheme includes a temporary pipeline and pumping station for over ground pumping of water from the Lough to a discharge point on the Cross River. Planning permission for this scheme was received from An Bórd Pleanála in January 2025, with the interim scheme completed in March of last year.
The Council has been stopped on two prior occasions, through judicial reviews, from completing emergency permanent works to reduce the water levels back to their normal levels. Roscommon County Council, with funding from the OPW, is currently progressing the Lough Funshinagh Climate Adaptation Project. The dual project objectives are to manage the flood risk and to minimise the impact on the environment. Following preliminary studies and public consultations, the emerging preferred option, from the seven possible options, was presented to the public in April 2025.
As part of the development process, the consultants have identified additional constraints on the emerging preferred route that, in line with best practice, warrants reassessment of all options. Consequently, this will extend the timeline for submitting a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála from the end of 2025 to the second half of 2026. Given the history to this project, it is essential that the planning application is evidence based, so it can withstand scrutiny and challenge through the planning process.
Roscommon County Council and the OPW are satisfied that this extension of time, to submit to planning, will not increase the flood risk for the communities around Lough Funshinagh, given the benefit from the Interim Flood Relief Scheme and IPP works. The Council will continue to engage with all stakeholders throughout 2026 through regular communication, and a further public consultation is planned in April this year.
