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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 2

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

Denis Naughten

Question:

103 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the reason his Department approved funding, through the Red Cross, to compensate householders who had their homes flooded in Limerick City due to the flooding of the River Shannon but is not prepared to compensate a similar householder (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the criteria used to assess both cases; the difference, if any, in any such assessments; if these assessments were carried out by the same section within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15653/00]

Denis Naughten

Question:

104 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Office of Public Works has no funds within its Vote for the payment of compensation to flooded households; the vote under which funding was provided by his Department, through the Red Cross, to compensate householders who had their homes flooded in Limerick City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15654/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.

I am making arrangements, through the Irish Red Cross Society, for the payment of financial assistance to those Limerick residents affected by the flooding of the Abbey River in the Athlunkard Street-Sir Harry's Mall area of the city over the last Christmas-New Year period. The Oireachtas will be asked to vote the necessary funds to the Vote of the Office of Public Works. Meanwhile, the Office of Public Works have been in consultation with officials from Limerick Corporation regarding a study of the causes of the flooding are currently awaiting proposals from the corporation as to how they might progress the situation.

I took this initiative in relation to Limerick because of the circumstances which arose as a result of works associated with the Limerick main drainage scheme. Although the flooding was caused by extreme bad weather, the works resulted in some delay in the flood waters receding, thus adding to the levels of inconvenience caused. I am satisfied that these particular cir cumstances should not be used as a precedent for such intervention elsewhere.
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