Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 6

Written Answers. - Flooding Relief Measures.

Bertie Ahern

Question:

25 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the legislation the Government has prepared to adress the problem of flooding which has caused devastation on a vast scale in many parts of the country; and if it is intended to institute a National Rivers Authority which would be charged with responsibility for riparian maintenance. [4932/95]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. J. Higgins)

The Government has approved the drafting of a Bill to amend the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 to empower the Commissioners of Public Works to undertake work for the relief of localised flooding. Work on the drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage I expect to introduce it in the Seanad shortly. There are no plans to institute a National Rivers Authority.

Peadar Clohessy

Question:

26 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Finance if he will declare the south Galway region a disaster area and make State resources available to assist householders and business people who are suffering loss arising from the worsening floods. [4678/95]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. J. Higgins)

I have no plan to declare the south Galway region a disaster area. There is no legal basis for such a designation and it would not of itself make any additional assistance available to households or to businesses which have suffered as a result of the severe flooding.

The Government has initiated several positive measures to assist people who have been affected by the flooding in south Galway and elsewhere. An allocation of £2 million was made to assist farmers who lost livestock or fodder. The guidelines for this scheme are being interpreted flexibly and the ongoing situation is being monitored to determine whether any further measures are necessary. An additional allocation of £4 million has been made available for the improvement of county roads.

The community welfare officers who operate the supplementary welfare allowance scheme on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare have been assisting some people, including some who would not normally qualify for social welfare payments, who have encountered exceptional or urgent needs.

I have secured an allocation of 325,000 ECUs, £260,000 approximately, from the European Union as a gesture of solidarity with those affected by the flooding. This will be distributed by the Irish Red Cross Society.

The Government has agreed to make additional funds available for humanitarian relief for those who have suffered uninsurable losses as a result of flooding. In the context of the criterion uninsurable will be interpreted in a realistic and sensible way. I hope shortly, with my colleague the Minister for Finance, to put specific proposals to Government for a humanitarian relief package.

An interdepartmental committee which I am chairing has been established to co-ordinate the Government's response to the recent bad weather.

In relation specifically to the south Galway region a number of further measures have been taken. A one-stop-shop has been opened in Gort to provide information and to co-ordinate the handling of claims. Staffing is by the Office of Public Works, Western Health Board, Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Galway County Council and the Irish Red Cross Society.

The Air Corps has been assisting farmers by dropping fodder for livestock into isolated areas and to date has made over 200 cargo sorties, transporting about 100 tonnes of provisions. The Army is providing transport to school for some children and are available for the transport of others such as pensioners, if required.

A special allocation of £50,000 was made to Galway County Council to enable them to raise the level of some roads. A major study is to be undertaken to determine the causes of the flooding in the area and to try to identify environmentally and economically acceptable solutions.

I myself have visited the south Galway area on several occasions. I have seen the problems at first hand and spoken with many of those affected. I am determined, as is the Government, to continue to respond to the situation in a caring and realistic manner.

As recently as Monday 27 March, I was in Gort where I met a number of deputations. I was given a detailed proposal for a compensation package to meet the particular needs of the area and I am examining this with my officials and the other relevant Government Departments at present. It is, as I have indicated, intended to bring proposals to Government as quickly as possible.