Written Answers. - Humanitarian Assistance.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:
134
Mr. Boyle
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
his input at a recent meeting with local residents at Aughoose Church, Pollathomas, County Mayo; and the Government plans for assisting the families affected.
[24019/03]
Joan Burton
Ceist:
157
Ms Burton
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Pollathomas area of County Mayo; the assistance which has been offered to those who have suffered as a result of the recent landslide; and the steps being taken to assess the infrastructural damage and the probability of further landslides.
[24051/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 157 together.
I visited Pollathomas, County Mayo, the Tuesday following the landslide to hear the views of the local community. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, has said that he intends to provide the maximum assistance for the people affected by the landslide and to Mayo County Council in their ongoing efforts to restore the infrastructure of the area. In this regard, his Department will recoup Mayo County Council 90% of the cost necessarily incurred in providing emergency accommodation for the families who were displaced from their homes. I understand that initially 16 families were housed in emergency accommodation and this number has now been reduced to seven. I understand that Mayo County Council has carried out interim repairs on the damaged roads and bridges to the extent that most roads in the area are now accessible.
As Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, indicated on 15 October, he is acutely aware of the distress caused to people arising from damage to their homes by the recent landslides. Engineers from the Office of Public Works have already been assisting in the initial clean up together with Mayo County Council. In addition, the Office of Public Works will make funds available for humanitarian assistance to those whose lives have been affected. Officials from the Office of Public Works have made contact with the Irish Red Cross to initiate a scheme of humanitarian aid over the coming days. I understand that the criteria for determining eligibility for assistance will be similar to previous schemes, namely, death, serious injury, homelessness, damage to home or extreme hardship. The Minister of State has emphasised that the purpose of the scheme is to provide humanitarian assistance to relieve hardship, not compensation.
I am considering to what extent I may be able to assist from programmes operated by my Department. My Department has already indicated to Mayo County Council that within the parameters of existing programmes, funding could be provided towards the reinstatement of the local graveyards and the provision of a protecting wall. Detailed proposals are awaited from the council which will be evaluated when received. I intend visiting the Pollathomas area again on 24 October 2003, as promised during my earlier visit.
