I thank the Minister of State for having introduced this Estimate. As a Deputy representing one of the constituencies directly affected by the flooding, I know the extent of the hardship and anguish people have suffered in recent weeks. People hit by the floods are trying to come terms with the crisis and the establishment of this fund will provide some consolation, at least.
How did the Minister of State arrive at a figure of €5 million in respect of this incident, compared to the sum of €8.5 million last February? As far as I can recall the previous incident, the extent of the damage on this occasion is far more widespread. In his speech, the Minister of State said that 725 people claimed flood relief aid on the last occasion. The current incident, however, could conservatively be estimated to have hit twice that number of people.
My constituency may not be at the epicentre of the flooding but at least 250 people have been affected in a couple of roads around Tolka Park. The whole of the Taoiseach's constituency in Drumcondra on the other side of the road, which was the focus of more flooding, would add approximately another 700 claimants. Added to that, areas have been flooded in Dunboyne and Clonee in County Meath, so I suspect that this Estimate is considerably short of what is required to maintain a similar level of support to that provided last February.
I presume the Minister of State will reply that in the case of the latest incidents the level of insurance cover for the affected households appears to be higher. That raises the issue of what exactly the criteria are for allocating aid. Media reports quoted people in Ringsend and East Wall as saying that the system, as operated in practice, was not fair and equitable. There were numerous instances where people whose homes were uninsured seemed to be getting less compensation than others who were insured. There seemed to be question marks over the clarity of the criteria employed, which in turn produced confusion in the minds of applicants as to what they might receive cover for. In turn, that produced inequitable arrangements in the end.
It is important to have greater clarity about these matters. I know that a balance must be struck between having a detailed set of criteria and being able to respond in a positive way to the exigencies of the situation where floods are concerned. However, clear criteria need to be established so that we, who ultimately vote the money for flood relief, can be satisfied that the system is being administered fairly to all applicants. Some of the cases quoted, albeit anecdotally, suggest that double the amount of compensation was paid to people who were insured, compared to those who did not have cover, although both experienced similar flood damage. That begs a question about the criteria employed.
The deeper issue is what sort of criteria will the Red Cross apply and will the public be made aware of them? The statements made by the Minister of State and the Red Cross are vague. They refer to "damage to homes" and "extreme hardship" but some people do not really know what that means and so they will not claim. I met a man whose house was under two feet of water, yet he did not think the Government should be compensating him. It is mind-blowing to think that while the Government can find money for stadia and God knows what else, it would not compensate an old-age pensioner living in those flooded conditions. There is a need for some assurance that not just the loudest and best informed will get support and that there is a proper and equitable system of distribution. I am sure the Red Cross will be doing everything it can.
I welcome the review the Minister of State has announced. This is the third incidence of major flooding in Dublin this year. This is thought to be a particularly severe one which we do not expect to recur, but there is no doubt in my mind that the Tolka has been dramatically changed because of development in Clonee, Dunboyne, Mulhuddart and Blanchardstown. This whole valley, which offered a natural flood plain for high water in the Tolka, is now gone. Naturally, this has squeezed the volume down into the city. It is not surprising that we are now seeing these floods occurring because of the level of development.
There is a need for the Office of Public Works to recognise that the view that Dublin City Council can cope with flooding in the Tolka is a fiction. I am a member of Dublin City Council and we have no influence regarding what happens in Meath. We are at the end of the pipeline. If it floods in our area, we can try to issue sandbags and man the barricades, but in terms of developing a long-term response, responsibility lies with the Office of Public Works. It has the expertise.
I understand that, under Office of Public Works legislation, a river has to be designated as being under its responsibility. The Office of Public Works has responsibility for rivers like the Moy. I do not know the flooding potential in that area, but it is tiny compared to that of a river like the Tolka. Therefore, it is a fiction to suggest that Dublin City Council, which represents a tiny geographical area within the flow of this river, could come up with a solution. It must be accepted that it is the Government's responsibility to deal with this issue. The Minister of State should signal soon, if not today, that he is taking on that responsibility and not hiding behind the fiction.
Someone has estimated that it would cost €100 million to deal with the Tolka. There is no way Dublin City Council could come up with that figure. Others have said €50 million and I do not know where the truth lies.
Although people are coming to terms with the latest incident, they wonder if there will be another flood tomorrow or in 12 months time. They are trying to rebuild their lives with no certainty. Everybody is sitting on their hands. Dublin City Council is saying it can only do so much and the Office of Public Works is saying it is the responsibility of Dublin City Council. The Department will have to get off the fence regarding this issue and come to terms with reality.
