Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the opportunity to express once again my concern and that of the Government regarding those affected by the flooding that occurred in various areas in recent months as a result of exceptional and continued rainfall. This is a singularly traumatic and unpleasant experience for those affected and I am conscious that the flooding was particularly severe in Deputy Ring's own area in Mayo. I have seen first-hand how severe it can be. It is devastating when a family home is damaged.

With this in mind I announced in mid-January that the Commissioners of Public Works will work with local authorities to identify solutions to the various flooding incidents that have occurred. The local authorities are the front-line responders where State sector assistance is required in the event of serious flooding. They are therefore likely to have information which, allied to the local knowledge of their staff, will be invaluable in determining the most likely immediate cause of the flooding. This information, in conjunction with the expertise of the OPW in dealing with river engineering, will assist in devising potential solutions to the individual problems. Where additional surveys or other information is needed, this will be arranged. Where it is not possible to find flood relief measures that are viable, other flood protection measures may be considered.

It is my intention that where solutions are identified that offer an acceptable level of social and financial benefit, and which are environmentally acceptable, these will be implemented as quickly as possible. Such works will be financed from existing resources available to the OPW for drainage and flood relief. OPW's role in this initiative will be to provide support and assistance to local authorities in dealing with problems in their areas and to bring co-ordination where more than one authority is involved. The initiative cannot succeed without the full co-operation of local communities and, in particular, landowners who may be requested to permit access to their properties to facilitate relief measures. Over recent weeks, OPW officials have been involved in urgent and ongoing consultations with the various local authorities concerned and the national parks and wildlife service with a view to identifying measures which are both feasible and environmentally acceptable.

In regard to south Mayo, OPW officials are in ongoing consultation with Mayo County Council in respect of the flooding there and I understand they are making good progress towards identifying possible flood relief works for Crossmolina, Clyard and Kilmaine and are continuing to seek solutions to the flooding problems in the other areas affected. Various relevant reports and in-house studies are expected to be available this week and further meetings have been scheduled over the next few days.

The provision of any form of humanitarian assistance for those affected by the flooding is a matter for the Department of Social and Family Affairs. In a reply to recent parliamentary questions regarding possible humanitarian aid for persons affected by the recent flooding, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs stated:

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, which is administered by the Community Welfare Division of the Health Service Executive (HSE), is designed to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. Under the legislation governing the scheme, the Health Service Executive may make an exceptional needs payment to people on social welfare or health board payments. This is a once-off payment to meet an unforeseen or special need that cannot be met from a person's basic income.

Assistance in the form of an Urgent Needs Payment (UNP) can be also made to persons who would not normally be entitled to SWA, to assist, for example in cases of flood damage, with immediate needs, such as food, clothing, fuel, household goods and perhaps shelter. Assistance can be provided in cash or in kind. My Department's role in supporting the response to the recent flooding will primarily involve supporting the community welfare service in the provision of ENP and UNP funding in the short term and other supports where applicable to cater for the long-term effects of the flooding. Any support given will relate to damage to a person's home or loss of essential items. It will not extend to business or commercial losses.

My Department, working through the HSE, has a role in providing immediate humanitarian aid in response to serious flooding incidents. It has no role in providing compensation for losses arising from such incidents. Local community welfare officers are available to provide assistance on an individual basis where that is warranted. If any person is experiencing hardship as a result of the recent flooding, they should contact their local Community Welfare Officer in the first instance.

I again offer my sympathy to those affected by the recent flooding. I appreciate the disruption, frustration and fear which accompany such flood events. I assure them that every effort is being made by my officials in OPW, in conjunction with the local authorities, to identify flood relief measures that will help to counteract recurrence of flooding in similar situations. Timescale will vary depending on circumstances, including complexity of finding solutions, weather and ground conditions, environmental considerations, etc. Measures will be implemented as soon as possible.

Next week I hope to visit sites in Galway, Offaly and Clare where we have found solutions on which we are working. Funding is not an issue. The OPW has funding and has provided local authorities with funds to carry out works. The situation in Mayo is slightly more complicated and the Deputy is very familiar with some of the issues there. As soon as we have a solution, I assure the Deputy I will visit Mayo.

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