Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 4

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

Robert Molloy

Question:

33 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Finance the Government's response to the compensation proposals submitted to the Minister of State, Deputy J. Higgins, by the South Galway Flood Victims Action Committee on Monday, 27 March 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7872/95]

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Question:

33 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the action, if any, he proposes to take in response to the detailed compensation proposal submitted on 27 March 1995 by the South Galway Flood Victims Action Committee. [8060/95]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Coveney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 63 together.

A sum of 325,000 ECUs, £260,000, has been secured from the European Union for humanitarian aid for those affected by flooding earlier this year. Those funds will be distributed by the Irish Red Cross Society who are currently examining requests for assistance from people who have suffered loss or hardship around the country, including south Galway. Over 300 claims have been received.

The Government has decided in principle to make additional funds available for the relief of the particularly severe and prolonged hardship arising from the unique situation in south Galway. I will be drafting proposals for this Government funded humanitarian relief package in consultation with the Minister for Finance on the basis of the information gathered by the Irish Red Cross Society and of the assessment of the condition of the most seriously affected houses which is currently being carried out by the Office of Public Works. The submission from the South Galway Flood Victims Action Committee will be taken fully into account in formulating the proposals for a further humanitarian relief package for the area for consideration by the Government.