John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Written responses to circular letter MEM 01-09 have been received from 22 of the major local authorities since the flooding event in November 2009. The authorities which have not provided written reports are Donegal, Fingal, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, South Dublin and Waterford county councils, and Dublin and Waterford city councils. A number of those local authorities were not seriously affected by the flooding and in some cases detailed reports are delayed until flood waters fully recede so that the full impact can be ascertained.

In the case of some local authorities, the local services primarily involved in the response to the flooding have subsequently been engaged in responding to the severe weather event. My Department is following up with all local authorities, and where written responses are not yet available, oral reports have been received. Interim reports have also been received from the local authorities most affected by the flooding. I made approximately €16.5 million available to 19 local authorities in December to meet unexpected expenditure incurred in dealing with the immediate response to the flooding in their functional areas.

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