Vol. 572 No. 6
185 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works have assessed the damage to private land in north Mayo following the recent landslide; the steps which have been taken by him to try and assist people with their increased travel costs for children attending colleges and schools following the closure of local roads; the compensation which has been paid towards them; and the plans the Government has to compensate and assist these people. [23964/03]
186 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance the measures taken for the people of north Mayo affected by the recent landslide; the persons who will call out and assess their losses; and the assistance which will be given to these people, in the short-term, in relation to their loss of income similar to the assistance given by the Red Cross following the flooding in Dublin in 2002. [23970/03]
187 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the maximum advice, support and financial assistance will be given to the residents of Pollathomas, County Mayo, following the recent landslide; and if all Departments will work closely together on this issue of national importance. [24014/03]
188 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance the action taken to date by the Office of Public Works following the landslides at Pollathomas; the further action that will be taken; the cause of the landslides; and the short and long-term actions required to try to prevent a recurrence. [24016/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 188, inclusive, together.
The Government has considered the impact and extent of the damage caused by the landslides and has initiated an ex-gratia scheme of humanitarian assistance to relieve individual hardship caused by the landslides. The scheme is being administered through the Office of Public Works with aid distributed by the Irish Red Cross Society.
The aim of the scheme is to provide humanitarian assistance and not to compensate for losses. The criteria for determining eligibility for assistance will be similar to previous humanitarian aid schemes namely, death, serious injury, homelessness, damage to home, loss of income or extreme hardship.
The Irish Red Cross Society has considerable experience and an excellent record in implementing similar humanitarian aid schemes and I am confident that all applications for aid will be assessed and dealt with speedily confidentially and sympathetically.
With regard to the position on the ground, in response to a request from Mayo County Council, the Office of Public Works has provided machinery and personnel to assist the council in the initial clean up.
I understand a report is being drawn up for Mayo County Council by geologists engaged to try to determine the cause of the landslide. Any infrastructural response required in the area as a result of the landslide will be a matter for Mayo County Council in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
