Flooding funding of 200,000 is only a drop in the ocean

The Fianna Fail Junior Spokesperson for the OPW and Flood Relief, Deputy Eugene Murphy has welcomed the allocation of 200,000 for flood relief works throughout County Roscommon but warns that it is “only a drop in the ocean” of what is actually required.

“Roscommon County Council has been allocated 200,000 to help alleviate flooding problems in six locations throughout the county and such funding is welcome and much needed in the areas of Killeglan Stream; Beagh Brabazon, Ballinasloe; Fairhill, Dysart; Moneymore, Knockcroghery; Curnalee, Curraghboy; and the Ogulla River, near Roscommon town but really the sum of money is mere pittance when you look at what is actually required to make a real difference,” said Deputy Murphy.

Deputy Murphy said the Government had shown a “lack of imagination” and was “devoid of any real understanding of the reality of the ongoing situation on the ground.”

“Roscommon County Council requires in the region of 11 million euro to repair the damage caused by flooding to ensure that such devastation does not reoccur throughout the county yet only 4.5 million has been allocated to date which is wholly inadequate. This latest funding of 200,000 will go some way to helping alleviate problems in the six locations around the county but when you look at the overall picture of what is needed it is really only a drop in the ocean,” said Deputy Murphy.

 “There are a total of 133 different areas throughout County Roscommon which are still affected by flooding and many homeowners and business owners are becoming increasingly frustrated as they are fast becoming a forgotten story. These are the stories behind the headlines where farmers are facing a bleak winter period as their land is too water lodged to make hay or silage this summer, where business owners have water damaged stock, where families and publicans have been stranded by the rising waters of nearby turloughs,” said Deputy Murphy.