Vol. 574 No. 2
197 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance the measures taken by the Office of Public Works following the recent reports into the landslide in north Mayo; the action which will be taken for the people affected; the funding which will be put in place in this regard; when these persons can expect funding to be sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26673/03]
The Office of Public Works involvement in the north Mayo landslide situation is confined to two issues. First, in accordance with a Government decision, and following approval by the Minister of Finance, a humanitarian aid scheme is being implemented. The Red Cross is implementing the scheme on behalf of Office of Public Works. The scheme provides for aid to relieve hardship experienced by householders and is not providing compensation for losses. The Red Cross has completed assessment of applications and I would anticipate that payments will be made under the scheme before the end of the month.
Second, the Office of Public Works is prepared to consider requests from Mayo County Council for assistance in the form of machinery and personnel, similar to that already provided by the Office of Public Works in the initial clean-up. I emphasise, however, that other than this, the Office of Public Works has no responsibility in relation to the matter.
The question of repairing damage to infrastructure as a result of the landslides and protesting properties and infrastructure in the event that further landslides occur is a matter for consideration by Mayo County Council in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
