The Minister of State with the OPW has met residents affected by flooding at Lough Funshinagh in Co Roscommon.
Kieran O'Donnell is also due to hold talks with stakeholders later.
Mr O'Donnell was appointed Minister of State on Wednesday.
Local residents said they hope emergency measures can be put in place to drain the lake.
CEO of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan also visited the area and said the council is examining interim solutions to protect homes in the coming months.
Yesterday, two houses were evacuated and a third road was closed due to flooding in the area.
It is expected to remain closed for two to three months.
Two local roads are already closed after extended lake flooding reached an area near Curraghboy.
Roscommon County Council said it decided to temporarily close the R362 Coolnageer, Curraghboy, in the interest of public safety.
It also said: "There may be an increased likelihood of delays on these roads as a consequence. Emergency Services and local access only will be accommodated."
Local Independent TD Denis Naughten said the current situation is critical.
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Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, he predicted that within 18 months flooding could cause the loss of local amenities in Curraghboy.
Mr Naughten also said there could be a further loss of four homes.
"Relocation is not an option in relation to these homes, they have been there for generations. There are environmental issues involved here," he added.
Local Independent Councillor Laurence Fallon said there was an an "extraordinary crisis unfolding" due to the flooding.
He told RTÉ's News at One: "The most extraordinary thing that happened was about ten days ago, it reached a level that allowed it to flow into a different direction, towards the village of Curraghboy, and it's now flowing in there to an area which is about a metre lower than the top of the lake.
"So it is inevitable that a meter of water will develop in that particular area and that will bring it over 100 or 150 acres into the equation as well.
"It's a crisis that needs to be fixed and fixed very quickly."
"There is a very significant road that will have a metre of water on it in a couple of weeks," he added.
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