Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I was immediately struck by a certain aspect of it as she read it into the record. I refer to the fact that - as was the case when flooding occurred last year - certain issues fall within the remit of the OPW, that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is responsible for providing emergency responses, that other matters are proper to the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Agriculture, Food and the Marine and that lands or property located within a special area of conservation, SAC, are overseen by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. There is a need for a cross-departmental approach on this matter. I accept that this need has been identified but I would like to see the actual approach implemented.

I raised this matter with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government because I am quite satisfied as a result of my experience in dealing with householders trying to obtain assistance from the State that the OPW has nothing to offer in the way of short-term solutions. I welcome the plans to put in place longer-term, significant solutions. I hope that such solutions will take account of the future rise in sea levels to which global warming is going to give rise. The easiest way to assist people in putting in place short-term solutions would be through the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. As already stated, I have mentioned this matter to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin. I am of the view that the Ministers at the various Departments to which I have already referred should work together on this matter. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is responsible for putting in place the response to any emergency which might arise.

Provision of the type of assistance I referred to in my initial contribution would very much ameliorate people's concerns. As is normally the case with housing grants, the Government would not be obliged to pay the full amount for the erection of the small flood barriers or gates I described earlier. Local authorities are excellent when it comes to disbursing small grants of the type to which I refer. I acknowledge that work is being done but there are many householders and business owners who have not and may not benefit from this.

People understand that and the financial constraints but just want some assistance. I ask that this measure be discussed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, and the other appropriate Ministers because it is very worthwhile. It would result in savings for the State in the longer term because it costs the State more money to assist financially people who are flooded but who have no insurance.

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