asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, in respect of the committee set up to deal with the claims for compensation of those affected by flooding in the Shannon valley, (a) its personnel, (b) when it was established, (c) its terms of reference, (d) the number of meetings held by it, (e) the number of claims received to date, and (f) the number of claims dealt with or reported on.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Floods Committee.
Presumably, the Deputy has in mind the committee appointed to assist me in alleviating distress caused by the abnormal flooding of the River Shannon.
The information requested is as follows:—
(a) The personnel of the committee is: Colonel Seán Collins Powell, Chairman; T.M. Murphy, Chief Agricultural Officer, Westmeath County Committee of Agriculture;
W. Robbins, Secretary, Offaly County Committee of Agriculture;
D. Coady, Chief Agricultural Officer, Longford County Committee of Agriculture;
B. O'Sullivan, Secretary, Galway County Committee of Agriculture;
N.P. Cotter, Chief Agricultural Officer, Roscommon County Committee of Agriculture;
M.G. McGeeney, County Manager for Longford and Westmeath;
M.A. Veale, County Manager, Offaly;
C.I. O'Flynn, County Manager, Galway;
J.G. Browne, County Manager, Roscommon;
W.R. Day, Inspector, Department of Agriculture.
(b) the committee was established on 1st January, 1955;
(c) its terms of reference are: to assist me in alleviating distress caused by abnormal flooding of the River Shannon;
(d) two meetings of the full committee and eight meetings of sub-committees have been held to date;
(e) 254 claims for assistance were received;
(f) the committee did not invite claims. Instead, they had a survey carried out of all holdings in the affected area in order to determine the extent of the distress calling for alleviation. The number of holdings surveyed was 2,173.
In connection with (f), how many of the 254 claims received have been dealt with? How many people have received compensation or, in the words of the Minister for Agriculture, how many people have had their distress alleviated?
As I understand it, the local relief committee gave a cheque for £20 and a half ton of coal to 98 householders whose houses had been flooded. Householders who had not suffered flooding received half a ton of coal. In addition, all live stock were treated by the veterinary officers of the Department. The committee divided the distress into three categories: dire distress, distress, and rehabilitation. Under the first, grants up to a maximum of £100 will be given. Under the second, the maximum grant has been fixed at £50.
I take it the Minister for External Affairs is not as familiar with this matter as the Minister for Agriculture would be, but I would like to know whether the coal that has been given was given by the State or out of the fund set up in Athlone?
That seems to be outside the scope of the question.
It is included in the reply by the Minister in relation to the relief which the people have already received.
The question is seeking for information as to what was done.
I want to know from the Minister whether the relief that has been given has been given by the committee that was set up by the Minister.
As I explained to the Deputy, the local relief committee on the direction of Colonel Collins Powell gave a cash grant of £20 and coal.
Can we take it this committee will hear of the proceedings on the part of the committee set up in Dublin recently and take example from that committee? That committee has now discharged its duty of alleviating distress on the Tolka.
I understand the committee is working actively on the matter.