Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

In recognition of the devastation suffered by many families as a result of the recent floods, the Government decided on 8 November 2011 that it was to provide up to €10 million in income-tested financial support to people who have suffered damage to their homes.

Officials from the Department of Social Protection have made house to house calls to individuals they have identified as being vulnerable at this difficult time and have been in contact with some 700 individuals who have been affected to some degree by the flooding. Special clinics were also established to offer help to affected households. Up to 18 November 2011, 443 individual payments to a value of some €122,000 have been awarded to 310 individuals in the affected areas.

The main details of the humanitarian assistance scheme are as follows. It is to be administered on the ground by staff from the Department of Social Protection. For the most part, these are staff who were formerly community welfare officers working in the HSE who transferred to the Department of Social Protection on 1 October. The scheme will provide hardship alleviation assistance, as opposed to full compensation, to householders affected by the flooding. Damage to a person's home and its basic essential contents, such as carpets, flooring, furniture, household appliances and bedding, will be the main criteria but structural damage may also be considered. Eligibility will be subject to an income test. Assistance will not be given for losses which are covered by insurance. Commercial and business losses will not qualify for humanitarian assistance. Detailed information on the scheme is available on the Department's website at www.welfare.ie.

The Government has also established a cross-departmental and agency working group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to oversee the State's collective response to those affected by the flooding. This working group will identify any gaps that may exist within existing services to address the consequences of the flooding for individuals, families and communities. If additional services are required, the group will report to Government with proposals to address these issues.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

As the Deputy will be aware a similar allocation of €10 million was made available as a result of the 2009 floods. I expect that my Department will spend in excess of €4 million with a further €16.4 million spent by the local authorities and over €0.5 million by the Department of Agriculture and Food on fodder relief for farmers, making a total spend of over €21 million.

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