Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Nov 1965

Vol. 219 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation for Flood Losses.

1.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

asked the Taoiseach if the Government propose to assist all those who suffered serious losses due to the recent heavy and unusual flooding; whether special arrangements will be made so that landowners who lost any livestock in the floods will receive financial assistance in order to purchase replacements; whether special arrangements will be made to assist the many people whose bedding, carpets, furniture and homes have been destroyed; whether the Government will come to the aid of local authorities in a special way where roads and bridges have been swept away and damaged; and if he will make a general statement as to what practical form of aid the Government propose to meet this disastrous situation.

2.

Mr. Pattison

asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that people in County Carlow have suffered losses totalling over £30,000 as a result of recent flooding; and if he has any proposals to compensate those affected.

3.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

asked the Taoiseach what action the Government propose taking to relieve the situation caused by the recent flooding in Wicklow.

The Taoiseach

With your permission, Sir, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.

The Government are keeping the situation under review but, at the moment, the indications are that the immediate distress caused by the recent heavy floods has been, and is being, largely alleviated by the local authorities and by various charitable and other organisations in the areas concerned. I wish to take this opportunity of publicly expressing the Government's appreciation of the help so readily given by those bodies to persons in need of shelter or other assistance.

The Minister for Local Government will deal with some specific aspects of this matter, for which he has responsibility, in replies to Parliamentary Questions addressed to him today. The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries is receiving reports on the losses suffered by the farming community and will give special consideration, under various existing schemes of assistance, to applications from farmers who have suffered storm damage.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Would the Taoiseach consider introducing an Estimate, which I am sure would have the unanimous approval of the House, to cover the damage and distress caused not alone to landowners, who have lost their livestock, but town residents whose furniture, bedding and carpets have been destroyed? Would the Taoiseach not think the situation sufficiently serious to warrant the introduction of an Estimate to provide money to alleviate the grave distress caused to householders, town tenants and others?

The Taoiseach

So far as the relief of immediate distress is concerned, that is the responsibility of the local authorities. As far as I know, they are all meeting their responsibilities in regard to that. So far as the more permanent disruption is concerned, the Minister for Local Government will deal with that in relation to the matters concerned in replies to questions today. As I said, the Minister for Agriculture is prepared to consider applications from farmers who have suffered storm damage.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

I think the Taoiseach is aware and has referred to the fact that the Minister for Local Government has indicated that he will give sympathetic consideration to applications. For the guidance of Deputies, as well as the people who have suffered in these floods, could the Taoiseach give some kind of guide line as to what applications will be considered?

The Taoiseach

There is a question to the Minister for Local Government which he is answering today.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

I think it is important. The Taoiseach is aware that some places have been extremely hard hit and the local people do not know whether they should make application or should leave it to the local authority.

Mr. Pattison

Could the Taoiseach say if applications for losses of clothing, bedding and furniture will be considered?

The Taoiseach

That is the immediate distress which the local authorities and voluntary bodies are dealing with.

Mr. Pattison

Will they be empowered to grant compensation in such cases?

The Taoiseach

As far as I know, the powers of local authorities in these cases are very wide.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Have they the money to do so?

Mr. Governey

Can I take it from what the Taoiseach says that all those people who suffered losses in the flooding—I refer particularly to my own constituency where the losses were heavier than ever before—will get compensation not alone for furniture but also for stock lost?

The Taoiseach

That is a matter for the local authority.

Mr. Governey

In the Tullow area, the losses were never so heavy.

The Taoiseach

Is the Deputy referring to farm stock?

Mr. Governey

Business and farm stock. Can we take it from the Taoiseach's reply that business people as well as farmers will be compensated? The losses were terrific in that area.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

What happens in the case where the county manager says: "We did not make provision in our estimate for such an emergency"?

The Taoiseach

Neither did we.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Who is going to provide it?

The Taoiseach

The local authority.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

I am a bit confused. I understood from the public announcement made by the Minister for Local Government that he proposed to deal with applications and if necessary—I may be wrong in this— divert funds from the Road Fund in this connection?

The Taoiseach

There are two aspects to this. One is roads and bridges which were damaged or destroyed. The Minister for Local Government made it clear that Road Fund appropriations to local authorities can be diverted to the repair of these roads and bridges instead of for whatever other purpose they had been intended for. In so far as house damage is concerned, grants for the repair of houses will be available.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

Am I right in assuming that the Government and the Department of Local Government will not consider applications from individuals who have suffered personal loss as regards their own property or clothing?

The Taoiseach

In many cases that type of loss has been met by the local authorities, the Red Cross and other voluntary bodies.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

They have done a great job in Bray but I do not think they can fully compensate the people who have suffered there. Is there any place to which these people can turn?

The Taoiseach

The responsibility to relieve distress is on the local authority.

Mr. Governey

Would the Taoiseach say to where people in business can turn in respect of loss of stock?

The Taoiseach

People in business normally insure against losses of that kind.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Would the Taoiseach bring in an Estimate——

The Taoiseach

Not for the purpose of compensating businessmen. I do not think the State should compensate people who could insure against certain contingencies.