She said meeting the Tánaiste gave her hope that the Government were working towards finding a solution to ongoing flooding at the turlough.

Minister Heather Humphreys was speaking ahead of a visit to Castlerea earlier today where she opened the new An Chistin Food Hub.

The former Stella Maris nursing home will be used to accommodate families and has a capacity for 60 people.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin visited Lough Funshinagh yesterday and met residents impacted by the flooding in Ballagh, Rahara and Curraghboy.

Irish Rail also said it was not possible to source replacement buses as they were all in use due to the Bruce Springsteen concert taking place in Croke Park.

The department is shutting several centres because of the state’s new policy of only offering refugees 90 days’ accommodation, and an increasing number of vacancies.

The visit follows a private meeting on Sunday between the Taoiseach and members of the community affected by the rising waters

He was the second oldest man in the country and turned 107 in January.