Decision nears on long-term Funshinagh flood solution

The preferred option for the delivery of a permanent flood relief solution at Lough Funshinagh in South Roscommon is expected to be announced in the third quarter of the year, with a planning application due to be lodged before the end of 2026.

Responding to a Dáil question from Roscommon/Galway Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane, who sought an update on the permanent solution to the lonstanding flooding issue, OPW Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran outlined the current timeframe for the project. He said the emerging preferred option for a permanent Lough Funshinagh solution was expected to be presented at a public consultation event in "quarter three this year" (ie. between July and September).

Following on from this, he said, "a planning application for the scheme is scheduled to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála later this year".

The OPW Minister said Roscommon County Council and its consultants were currently undertaking a technical evaluation and comparison of nine potential options to manage the flood risk at Lough Funshinagh, and that this process was taking into account feedback received at the most recent public consultation event held in the Hodson Bay Hotel in April.

"The work by the scheme’s consultants on environmental surveys and assessments to manage constraints on all potential options, in this special area of conservation, has further developed the options," Minister Moran said.

Lough Funshinagh, a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) turlough, has experienced severe and recurring flooding in recent years, including in 2010, 2016, 2021 and 2024. These events have resulted in significant flood risk to homes, farmland, infrastructure and local communities.

In the aftermath of the 2024 flooding, Roscommon County Council secured planning consent for an interim flood relief scheme, to regulate flows from the lough through the Cross River.

The interim scheme got underway in April of last year and, according to 'Boxer', it has involved "the pumping of some 2.3 billion litres of water, at a rate of up to 300 litres per second" which ensured that "over the winter of 2025/2026... the water levels at Lough Funshinagh have been effectively managed".

While the interim flood relief scheme will operate for up to two years, the long-term project seeks a sustainable solution to lower water levels in the lough and safeguard surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, construction of a proposed Ballinasloe flood relief scheme is not expected to begin before "the third quarter of 2028," according to Minister Moran.

In response to a question from Roscommon/Galway Fianna Fáil TD Martin Daly, in connection with the projected timelines for the Ballinasloe scheme, the OPW Minister said it was "currently at stage one, which covers the scheme development and design".

Minister Moran said he hoped the "statutory public exhibition for the scheme will commence in quarter four of 2026" and that the scheme would be submitted to Government for "confirmation" in "the third quarter of 2027".

"Subject to planning consent, construction of the scheme, is scheduled to commence in quarter three of 2028," he concluded.