Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue. This month marks the third anniversary of householders in County Galway having their homes devastated by flooding. They have been left in limbo for three years. As they face into their fourth year without homes, they need a speedy conclusion to be brought to the flooding relocation scheme so they can move on with their lives.

A total of 32 families from all across the country applied for the flood relocation programme, including a dozen from County Galway. Of the 32, 20 applications have been deemed successful, yet they are still facing into their fourth year without homes. The severe flooding's impact on them has been significant, with the loss of a much-cherished home and many personal belongings such as photographs and other treasured mementos, the price of which cannot be measured. However, their loss has been compounded by the failure of successive Governments to bring the matter to a conclusion.

Once the rising flood waters receded, a number of families across south County Galway in places such as Gort and Ardrahan, as well as in Skehana in north Galway, were left picking up the pieces, both literally and metaphorically, of their lives. I have met these families and have seen the devastating impact this event has had and, unfortunately, continues to have on them. Due to the lack of a resolution in terms of relocation, they have not had anywhere they can call home in the intervening years.

They had enjoyed a secure home where they could plan for the future, but the flooding episode of late 2009 changed all of that. Many found themselves living in rented accommodation for the first time in their lives, unable to plan for the future as they awaited the outcome of the flooding relocation scheme. The application process was particularly long and tortuous and many believed that, once they were accepted onto the scheme, their difficulties would be over. This has since proven not to be the case. The months drag on and, instead of achieving clarity, it appears to become more difficult to get answers.

I have raised this issue with the Minister for Social Protection numerous times, highlighting the south Galway families' need for closure. Having met them, one can see the toll it is taking on each family member. This matter has reached a critical point. They cannot continue into a fourth year in this uncertain atmosphere. Answers are required.

I had just been elected as a councillor when the flooding occurred. At that time, I believed it to be unacceptable that those people should be left in a legal limbo regarding their relocation. Three years on and facing the prospect of a fourth without a home, the time for action is well past. Lives have been suspended and these families have been left waiting for the former and current Governments to resolve the issue. The compensation scheme was announced six months ago. Since then, however, progress appears to have slowed even further, with no deadlines, no news for families and no information from the Department. This situation is unacceptable and must be resolved.

Each family is in a different situation and each case must be dealt with on its individual merits, but even dealing with them on a case-by-case basis should have seen them resolved many years ago. These families need a date by which this saga will be brought to an end. They need homes, somewhere to call their own where they can start to plan for the future again and leave the dreadful events of November 2009 behind them.

See this speech in context