Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that there has to be a cross-government response involving the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the OPW, the Department of Social Protection in so far as it supports families who are directly affected, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, all the agencies that come under the Departments, and the local authorities. They need to try to work together to mitigate the flood risk and assist those who are worst affected.

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, is making an announcement regarding a further assistance programme to be administered by the Office of Public Works. Officials from the Department of Social Protection are available and are providing direct assistance to those affected by the floods, including those who had to leave their homes.

It is important to acknowledge the excellent response led by the local authorities to this severe weather crisis that is being delivered under extremely difficult conditions. I thank the principal response agencies, volunteers from the various agencies and Defence Forces personnel who supported the local authorities during the response phase. In addition to the national and local government response, it is a feature of this type of weather crisis in Ireland that communities come together to assist their neighbours in responding to the crisis. This has played a major role in contributing to the relief effort and I thank those who have taken time and resources to support their neighbours in their communities at this time of need. Local authorities and supporting agencies remain in full response mode and the national co-ordination group is meeting daily to update the threat assessment at national level.

The Deputy raised some valid points. It should be recognised that much progress has been made in the provision of flood relief schemes in areas that had been severely affected by flooding. While these recent efforts have had some degree of success, I accept that this will be of little comfort to those who are affected by the current flood event. We must continually work together and collaborate to mitigate the flood risk for as many citizens as possible.

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