asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the many cases of hardship resulting from the severe storms and floods which occurred during January; and if he is prepared to make interest-free loans available to people in difficult circumstances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Storm and Flood Damage Loans.
26.
There are no funds available to me for the purpose indicated by the Deputy. I may, however, mention for the Deputy's information that persons who have suffered damage to their private dwelling caused by either flooding or storms may apply to the Department of Local Government for a grant under the 1966 Housing Act towards the cost of repairing the damage and to their local authority for supplementary assistance for the same purpose.
The House is already aware of that situation. That does not answer the question. Is there any assistance available from any Government Department to people who have suffered loss or hardship other than to their dwellinghouses as a result of these storms?
The Deputy has addressed the question to me as to what funds I have available, and I have indicated to him I have none. He should address this question to the Department of Local Government, but, as he knows, he got the answer from Local Government last week.
What the Minister has said is that there are funds available for private dwellings. We are all aware of that. What I have asked the Minister is if there are any funds available, over and above that, to people who, in farms or business, have suffered a severe setback as a result of the damage caused to them.
The answer is in the negative.
Has the Minister received a request to set up a special fund?
No.
Would the Minister take this as being a request to set up a special fund for cases of severe hardship, of which there must be many?
I will look very favourably on suggestions for the expenditure of money which are accompanied by an indication as to where the money can be obtained.
Further arising——
I have been very fair with Deputy Fitzgerald.
I wish to ask a short supplementary. Do I detect that there is a reluctance on the Minister's part, in answering questions, to state that there are any funds available for an emergency situation? Is there a scarcity of funds at the moment.
Whatever detection the Deputy is making is his own responsibility, but I can say such detection, if he makes it from this source, is not justified.