asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the damage caused to a number of households by recent flooding in the constituency of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, he will make an ex-gratia payment to compensate those persons who have sustained damage and loss as a result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation for Dublin Flooding Damage.
There are no funds at my disposal from which such payments could be made.
Is the Minister aware that on a former occasion when damage was caused through flooding, funds were provided, and would he consider taking steps to have funds provided to pay compensation in these cases?
I cannot understand why my Department should be chosen as the one which should provide relief in cases such as this, if relief is in fact justified. Possibly inquiries could start more readily at the local end of affairs to find out where the responsibility for this matter really lies.
It may be that the funds were paid to another body, but it was administered through the Minister's Department on a former occasion and, I think, paid through him. Perhaps he would examine the precedent to see if it could be done on this occasion?
I shall do that.