There's renewed hope a temporary solution to flooding at Lough Funshinagh could be in place by this autumn.
It follows a visit by the Minister for the OPW to flood-affected residents in south Roscommon yesterday.
There had been growing fears that nothing could be done to relieve ongoing flooding at the turlough until next year at the earliest.
At a meeting with councillors and residents in Áras an Chontae yesterday evening, however, Minister Kieran O'Donnell said a temporary solution could be found this summer.
He said planning for an overflow pipe would be expedited to be completed next year but that a mechanism to reduce current water levels at the turlough was now the priority.
Minister O'Donnell outlined the next steps: