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There are no plans for any further studies on the flooding around Lough Funshinagh in Co Roscommon, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Land, sheds and homes surrounding the turlough have been flooded as a result of the rising floodwaters, with locals saying the floodwaters have passed their highest peak in living memory.
A fund of €72,000 was approved for Roscommon County Council in 2018 to carry out a study at the turlough and while a range of solutions were considered, none of those solutions were carried out as they were not “economically or environmentally sustainable”, an OPW spokesperson said.
This was despite the report finding that the flood risk could be eliminated by an overflow pipe.
Flood risk
“The report by Malachy Walsh and Partners, which was commissioned by Roscommon County Council and assisted with funding from the OPW, identified that the flood risk could be eliminated by providing an overflow to the east, albeit that the proposal to construct an outflow at the lake could raise environmental concerns with regard to the current designation status of the turlough.
“There are no plans for any further studies in the area,” the spokesperson said.
The OPW is aware of the significant impact on communities and distress arising from flooding and the continuing risk of flooding from Lough Funshinagh, the spokesperson said.
Engineering solutions
“Following severe flooding during the winter of 2015/2016, Roscommon County Council applied, in 2018, to the OPW for funding to undertake a study at Lough Funshinagh and its environs under the OPW minor flood mitigation works scheme.
“Funding approval in the amount of €72,000 was given and Roscommon County Council subsequently appointed Malachy Walsh and Partners to carry out this commission.
“Funding for this type of exploratory work is important to identify possible engineering solutions that meet the environmental and economic requirements in advance of progressing with engineering solutions.
“A range of flood mitigation options have been considered for Lough Funshinagh. However, it was determined that the options were not economically or environmentally sustainable,” the spokesperson said.
Monitoring the situation
Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Patrick O'Donovan met with Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and officials on 20 January.
Ministers discussed the issues in relation to Lough Funshinagh, with the spokesperson saying that they “continue to monitor the situation”.
“The OPW is currently in direct contact with Roscommon County Council in this matter and is available to meet with the council and the relevant State bodies to identify if any further actions can be taken to address the issue.”
Property owners in the locality of the lough who have applied for the Government’s Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme are being advanced through this scheme by the OPW.
However, there is still no update on the completion of a study on a farm building relocation scheme.
At the IFA AGM on Thursday, Minister McConalogue, in response to a question from Roscommon chair Jim O’Connor, said: "If there’s any assistance I can make available with my local Department of Agriculture, I’m certainly willing to do that and I’m very much aware of the emerging difficult situation there."
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