asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received a letter from the Town Clerk, Youghal, County Cork giving estimates of the damage caused by the recent storm and flooding; if the damage to urban council property is estimated at over £7,000 and the damage to property and buildings of urban residents at over £20,000; and if in view of the financial impossibility for a small urban area, where one penny in the £ produces only £60 to meet this huge bill, he is prepared to assist them by grants, loans, etc. to meet even portion of the damage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youghal Flood Damage.
55.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the repair and reconstruction of the urban district council's property, it would be open to them to apply their allocation for the coming financial year from the Employment and Emergency Schemes Vote to such works as would qualify for grants from the viewpoint of labour content and otherwise. I would also be prepared to consider favourably an application from the council for approval to the spreading of the cost of repair or reconstruction over a reasonable period of years.
The urban council have no liability for damage to private property. It is open to persons whose dwellings have suffered structural damage to apply to my Department for repair grants under the Housing Acts, and, where such grants are payable, the urban council may make supplementary grants, if necessary from a loan raised for the purpose.