Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That work is under way in many cases. The answer to Deputy Mac Lochlainn's question is "Yes". The Government has responded with the €10 million in humanitarian relief for private householders that has been available for a number of years, but has not been drawn down. Some €5 million was announced yesterday. Issues are being worked on to ensure this can be dealt with effectively before Christmas. The question of minor relief works as a co-ordinated response with the local authorities is there now. The Red Cross will visit Bandon with the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, next week. They will have a business meeting with those affected to discuss how they can help. That will be followed by similar initiatives in Ballinasloe, Galway and Crossmolina, etc. The Government, like everybody else, has a genuine interest in dealing with this. However, it is not possible to deal with all the flood relief works overnight.

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