Vol. 393 No. 4
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider payment of some form of compensation for damage caused to properties in County Mayo as a result of the recent floods, along the lines of that awarded to uninsured residents in the wake of the Dodder floods in Dublin some years ago.
141.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he has considered the position arising from severe weather conditions in the west of Ireland recently; if he has carried out any assessment of the damage and loss caused; if he will make available a special compensation fund to cater where possible for non-insurable cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am taking Questions Nos. 137 and 141 together.
At this stage, it is not possible to establish the exact nature or the full extent of the damage caused by the severe weather which occurred over the October Bank Holiday weekend. Over that weekend, officials of my Department were in contact with local authorities in the worst affected areas and were advised of the general situation in those areas and of the actions which the authorities were taking to alleviate difficulties. I am satisfied that the various local authorities responded quickly and effectively during the period.
I have asked local authorities in areas where severe flooding occurred to report to the Department on the extent of the flood damage which occurred in their areas of responsibility. Reports have now been received from Donegal County Council and Mayo County Council and are being assessed in my Department. When reports from other areas have been received and assessed, I will be in a better position to determine what can be done.
There are no funds available to me to compensate for any damage to private properties occasioned by the flooding. However, in necessitous cases, it is open to the health board to provide assistance to elderly householders under the task force on special housing aid for the elderly to remedy damage to the householders' living conditions.
