Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014
304. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the assistance available from his Department for coastal private landowners and businesses who suffered damage to their properties during the recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2659/14]
View answerThere is no assistance directly available from the Office of Public Works to private landowners and businesses for damages following the recent coastal storms. Private insurance policies may cover damages in this regard. The Department of Social Protection has in place a Humanitarian Assistance scheme for homeowners and applications can be made through Community Welfare Officers. This scheme does not cover commercial or business losses.
The Office of Public Works wrote on 10th January, 2014 to City and County Managers in coastal areas indicating that it will accept applications under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to assist with repairs to built flood defences and coastal protection structures which have been damaged by the recent storms. This is a once-off measure to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre storm condition. The specific application form for this entitled Coastal Storm Damage Flooding Questionnaire 2014 is available on OPW's website www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authorities. It is also open to local authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.
