The Irish Red Cross Society undertook at my request an assessment of the extent of the hardship caused as a consequence of the flooding which affected the south and south east of the country, including Wexford town, in the winter of 1995/96. To that end the society carried out a publicity campaign, which included national and local media (radio and newspapers) coverage of involvement in the investigation, widespread advertising in the national and local newspapers including the Wexford People in early May 1996 and follow-up interviews by the society's research staff of those applicants who submitted application forms for humanitarian assistance.
While I do not have details of the applications received, such information is confidential between the individual applicant and the Irish Red Cross Society, the total number of applications submitted from Wexford town and county to the society was twelve.
The Government at its meeting yesterday approved the provision of £265,000 to the Irish Red Cross Society for distribution as humanitarian aid to the victims of flooding. This will be in addition to the 300,000 ECU, £235,000 approximately, which has been promised by the EU.
I am advised that the Irish Red Cross Society expects to be in a position to commence the issue of payments within a few weeks.