Billy Timmins
Question:449 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance when the Irish Red Cross Society will make flood relief payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2319/01]
Written Answers. - Flood Relief.
Billy Timmins
Question:451 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the role his Department plays in the flood relief compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2515/01]
Billy Timmins
Question:452 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the number of flood relief compensation claims which have been received from County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/01]
Billy Timmins
Question:453 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the amount of funding which has been allocated to the Red Cross for flood relief compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2565/01]
Billy Timmins
Question:454 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the total cost of claims made to the Red Cross under the flood relief compensation scheme; when claimants can expect payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2566/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 449, 451, 452, 453 and 454 together.
The administration of the Government's humanitarian aid scheme for the victims of flooding last November is being undertaken solely by the Irish Red Cross Society and all dealings between individual applicants under the scheme and the society are done on a strictly confidential basis.
The Irish Red Cross Society has completed its assessment of applications received under this scheme and is submitting its report to the Government. I expect to be in a position to finalise matters with the Red Cross and to put them in funds shortly. I expect the Red Cross to make the necessary payments to all applicants as soon as possible thereafter.
The Irish Red Cross Society will prepare a report on its administration of the humanitarian aid scheme for Government in due course, which will include, inter alia, the breakdown of payments on a county by county basis. In view of the priority being accorded the payment of humanitarian aid to victims, I regret that this information is not readily available at this time. However, I will communicate details of the number of applications received in County Wicklow to the Deputy as soon as it is available to me.