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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 1

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

Tony Killeen

Ceist:

79 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make special provision for householders and others in North Clare/South Galway who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to recent floods. [4753/95]

Legislation governing the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is funded by the Department of Social Welfare and administered by the health boards, contains provisions which enable health boards to respond to exceptional or urgent needs. The determination of applications for assistance under these provisions is a matter for the health boards.

Supplementary welfare allowance is normally paid only to people receiving social welfare or health board payments; however, there are provisions in the legislation which allow boards to respond to the urgent needs of those who are specifically excluded in legislation from receiving supplementary welfare allowance, for example those in full-time employment. Guidance issued to boards over the years by the Department of Social Welfare gives flooding as an example where boards may assist persons who are normally excluded. The Mid-Western Health Board and the Western Health Board have advised my Department that applications for assistance as a result of flooding are being processed expeditiously, and a number of people have by now been helped under the exceptional needs provision. The two health boards further advised that in many cases, insurance companies are accepting and processing flood damage claims speedily.
The Government's response to the effects of the recent bad weather is being co-ordinated by the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works Deputy Jim Higgins and my Department will be co-operating fully with the Office of Public Works in this matter.
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