Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is not the number of funds we establish that is important, but rather the adequacy of resources for the funding we need to supply. That is the determining factor in the response. The whole idea is to have a flexible responsive position established. As the clean-up issues emerge this question arises as well as for people who cannot access their homes. At present arrangements are being made by the HSE, primarily for those who have not got a wider family support circle as an option for relocation, so that they can get temporary accommodation. Local authorities can help engage in that initiative as well.

All I can tell the Deputy is that these matters, as I am sure he knows, if brought to the attention of the relevant personnel, can be dealt with, adequately. The Government is keeping a watching brief on the issue of funding, and we have made it clear that the initial allocation is precisely that.

See this speech in context