Preliminary reports from Cork County Council suggest that approximately 50 homes and 20 business premises were flooded in Youghal following the severe rainfall in the last days of October. Indications from the council also suggest that approximately six homes flooded in Cobh town while approximately six homes in the Bellvelly Bridge area were affected as well.
Last week, the Government approved a humanitarian aid package to relieve hardship arising from the flooding of people's homes. The purpose of the scheme is to provide humanitarian assistance to relieve hardship and not to provide compensation for losses. My officials have met the Irish Red Cross Society, IRCS, which will implement the scheme. Details of the scheme were agreed and they were published in the national press at the weekend. They will also be published in the local press this week. The closing date for receipt of applications under the scheme is 24 November 2004. The IRCS has considerable experience in this area, having previously implemented a number of such schemes in the past for the OPW, and I have every confidence that applications will be dealt with in a compassionate, impartial and timely manner.
Last month the Government approved the recommendations of the flood policy review group. This confirms the lead role of the OPW in taking a strategic approach to flood management in the future and working in co-operation with the relevant local authorities. Following the recent flooding, OPW will seek initial assessments of the situation in both the city and county areas of Cork. These assessments will be considered by OPW under new prioritisation criteria, currently being developed by OPW, for all flood relief works, as recommended by the flood policy review group.
