John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

In reply to Deputy Tuffy, in December I made €16.488,257 million available to 16 city and county councils and three town councils to assist them with the unexpected expenditure involved in responding rapidly to the flooding in their areas.

Deputy Lynch inquired about risk assessment and how we will use the information. We must use the information to ensure that in those areas which have now been shown to be vulnerable, for example the quays in Cork, that we put in place proper flood protection. We have increased spending on that provision. It is the OPW which is examining the matter of risk assessment in detail.

In reply to Deputy Durkan, the preliminary estimate would indicate that the total cost of the damage could be approximately €100 million. Most of the expenditure is associated with repairs to national and non-national roads and bridges and quay walls in Cork and Limerick. Other areas of expenditure are connected to water supplies, housing and the general costs of the clean-up.

I understand that the Department of Finance will shortly decide on whether it is possible to submit an application for assistance under the European Union's solidarity fund. The threshold of overall expenditure before any assistance would be payable is high at more than €973 million. I am trying to estimate what will be the total cost. I understand that the insurance industry has estimated that the total cost could be approximately €250 million. I do not have the cost for agriculture or other areas. We are trying to quantify the expenditure. It is clear from all of those figures that this is something that can cause major damage and personal hardship. I am aware of that. When one considers the cost associated with flooding, this is why investment in prevention is such a good investment.

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