Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for allowing me to contribute at this time, as I must attend a Commencement debate in the Seanad. I thank the witnesses for their attendance and pay tribute to the Department of Social Protection for being so proactive in this regard and for getting the scheme off the ground quickly. Moreover, the information leaflet issued by the Department before Christmas containing contact numbers was helpful.

I sympathise with those affected by this flooding. It is disastrous and soul destroying for a person when his or her house is destroyed. In fairness, communities, neighbours and businesses have rowed in to help, and everyone thinks there is a great sense of community in the affected areas where people are helping. That said, I have a few questions on the Department's presentation. I find it hard that Ms Faughnan stated anyone "with a gross household income of €70,000 or less will receive 100% of the amount allowable in respect of their application" but yet the Department cannot tell members what is the amount allowable. Moreover, as Ms Faughnan has indicated that no cap will be applied, how does one know what constitutes 100% if the Department has not set an amount for such an application? The witnesses are suggesting one will get 100% on a discretionary basis but 100% of what? I find this to be contradictory. If someone applies for humanitarian aid, I assume there will not be an inspection of the house because that would take time and so on. How will a person provide proof? Must he or she get something signed by the council or whoever to the effect he or she has been flooded? How will the Department investigate that side of this issue? Ms Faughnan also stated that people in rented accommodation would not get help in this regard. What about people living in rented accommodation who have had their goods destroyed? Many people furnish their own rented accommodation. Will they be helped?

Although assistance to farmers may not be under the Department's remit, Ms Faughnan referred to it. I welcome such assistance because I know of farmers whose fodder was destroyed. However, no one in any Department or anywhere else has ever mentioned fishermen, who have been off the seas since November because of storms and so on. They have lost pots and many other items and, being self-employed, have no income and are not receiving assistance. I acknowledge this may not be under the remit of the Department of Social Protection, but at the same time, Ms Faughnan brought up the subject of farmers and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Perhaps she might be able to provide me with some answers in this regard.