Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Questions (139)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

139. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works keeps figures on the impact of flooding on homes and businesses; if this is the case he will provide the actual figures or, where not yet compiled, the estimates for the number of individual homes and business premises directly affected by flooding in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014, both nationally and by local authority area in tabular form, where possible the number of these homes that are privately owned and those which are rented from a local housing authority; the total cost to the Exchequer in 2012 and 2013 of repairing and cleaning up damage caused to these homes and properties by the floods in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10977/14]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

The Office of Public Works does not compile or hold specific figures on the impact of flooding on individual homes and businesses, either nationally or locally. The figures the Deputy has requested may be available from the local authorities or from Insurance Ireland. The latter body maintains data on the total number and cost of claims by households and businesses for flood damage.

The OPW does not provide financial assistance to homeowners or other property owners in respect of flood damage to their properties. Since 2009, the Department of Social Protection operates a Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which is available to assist people whose homes have been damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repairs. The scheme does not cover business or commercial losses. Information on the amount of expenditure under the scheme to date would be available from the Department of Social Protection.