Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2016
188. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the terms of the targeted voluntary homeowners relocation scheme, which was announced on 10 November 2016, to relocate homeowners whose primary residences are unsustainable due to the threat of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35524/16]
View answer189. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Department that will administer the targeted voluntary homeowners relocation scheme, which was announced on 10 November 2016, to relocate homeowners whose primary residences are unsustainable due to the threat of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35525/16]
View answer190. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when applications for the targeted voluntary homeowners relocation scheme, which was announced on 10 November 2016, to relocate homeowners whose primary residences are unsustainable due to the threat of flooding, will be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35526/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 190, inclusive, together.
Last Tuesday, 8th November I announced a fund of €2m for a targeted humanitarian aid scheme for those primary residential properties that flooded during last Winter and had flooded in previous years to ensure those worst affected homeowners have a primary residence.
While the Government has agreed that the terms of funding for relocation will be in line with the previous scheme in 2009; I am to apprise Government of the ongoing review of the administrative arrangements from that earlier scheme, to ensure that the arrangements for this once-off scheme are reflective of its targeted objective and all relevant circumstances.
I want to ensure that the funding is targeted at those homeowners at greatest risk of future flooding and would gain greatest benefit from State support to relocate. Therefore, this will be a targeted, prioritised scheme and will not be open for general applications.
The Office of Public Works is working jointly with Local Authorities and the Department of Social Protection to identify and prioritise homeowners and review the administrative arrangements for this scheme. I hope to be able to appraise Government and subsequently make initial contact with a small number of targeted homeowners towards the end of this year.
