Written Answers. - Compensation for Flooding.
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:
50
Mr. E. Byrne
asked the
Minister for Finance,
in relation to compensation for flooding victims, the amount paid in each of the years from 1992 to date in 1995; the amount paid to recent victims in south Galway and elsewhere; the criteria for allocation of such moneys; whether compensation was paid to victims of flooding in Baldoyle, County Dublin, in 1992 or 1993; whether compensation will be paid to victims of flooding at Cherrywood, Clondalkin, County Dublin, who were seriously affected by flooding in 1993; his views on the apparent discrepancy between the treatment meted out to urban and rural flooding victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11880/95]
No payments have been made by my Department in respect of compensation for flooding victims in the years 1992 to date in 1995.
I understand that, following severe flooding in June 1993, the Irish Red Cross Society distributed a total of £160,000 which was provided by the European Union for humanitarian aid to victims of flooding at that time. Details of individual recipients of that aid are not available to me. I understand, however, that no distinction was drawn between urban and rural dwellers in assessing the need for assistance. Indeed the Deputy may be interested to know that approximately 61 per cent of the funds available on that occasion were allocated to Dublin recipients.
I am advised that the payments issued by the Irish Red Cross Society included an amount of £44,000 approximately paid in 26 cases in Baldoyle. It may be of interest to the Deputy that £44,585 was paid out on 38 cases in the Clondalkin area.
I understand that to date no compensation payments, other than payments under the Department of Agriculture scheme, have been made to recent victims of flooding in South Galway.
Following representations by the Government, a sum of approximately £260,000 was made available by the European Union for distribution by the Irish Red Cross Society as humanitarian aid to victims of flooding in Ireland following the bad weather earlier this year. I understand the society is currently completing its processing of the many requests for assistance it has received and will very shortly issue payments.
As in 1993, hardship is being assessed under a number of criteria, the principal ones being, death, personal injury, damage to home and loss of income. No distinction is being drawn, between claimants in urban and rural areas.
The Government has decided in principle to allocate additional funds for humanitarian relief to the victims of the flooding earlier this year. I will shortly make proposals to Government regarding the nature of and extent of these funds, which it is intended will also be distributed by the Irish Red Cross Society on the basis of the criteria I have already outlined as well as their recommendations which I expect to receive shortly.
It is not possible to use the funds currently available to deal with problems arising from the 1993 flooding. The suggestion that there is a discrepancy between the treatment of urban and rural victims is without foundation. I would emphasise that the payments to which I have referred are for humanitarian aid and not compensation. Payment of compensation to victims of flooding is a matter for insurance companies or others who may have a legal liability towards them. The State has no such liability and decided to act in this particular instance because of the exceptionally severe hardship caused to many people by the flooding earlier this year. This must not be regarded as a precedent for the future and people must ensure, in so far as they possibly can, that they adequately insure their property or businesses against losses arising from flooding or similar causes.
