Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
191 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance the reason people in County Mayo affected by the landslides in Glengad and Pullathomas, who did not apply for aid in time due to the fact that they did not know they could, were encouraged to do so but have been advised that no more funding is available; and the assistance the Office of Public Works intends to give to those who have not received aid. [5131/04]
View answerFollowing Government approval, the OPW provided €300,000 in 2003 for a humanitarian aid scheme arising from the landslides at Pullathomas, County Mayo. The purpose of the scheme was to relieve hardship and not to provide compensation for losses. There are no plans to provide further funds for humanitarian aid in the current year.
The scheme was administered on a confidential basis by the Irish Red Cross Society on behalf of the OPW. The closing date for applications was 26 November 2003. However, a number of late applications were received by the IRCS and have been dealt with appropriately. Only the Irish Red Cross and the applicants know the details of the scheme and, therefore, I am unable to comment in any further detail.
