Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As we know, this continues to be a very difficult and anxious time for the people affected by or even at risk of flooding. People are living in fear and uncertainty. People, some of them elderly, are worried sick about feeling trapped in their homes. This is a very stressful time, particularly for older people. I have seen it myself helping people to leave their homes. Nobody should have to leave their home in fear. This is clearly a humanitarian situation where properties are at the mercy of flood damage and householders and businesses are sick with worry about how they can rebuild their lives.

What makes the situation more distressing is the fact that many of the properties do not have flood insurance. Some families spent their life savings after the floods of 2009 putting their homes back in order. Where do they go now for help? The Government should invest in or design a package aimed at people who cannot get flood insurance. This is not about a handout for people. These people can pay and have always paid their insurance. I am cognisant of the fact that this Government recognises the need to support people and businesses at a time of crisis, particularly during the run up to Christmas. I strongly welcome the introduction of the €5 million fund set up so quickly to aid small businesses which have suffered damage. It is critical that the initial sum of €5,000 is paid out before Christmas, as has been promised, with the further €15,000 delivered as soon as possible after Christmas.

I ask the Government to explore what supports are available for farmers, who I understand are ineligible for the emergency funding despite the fact that they are businesses. Farms have been flooded, property has been damaged and fodder has been destroyed as a result. Farms are enterprises and should be included in any funding scheme.

There is a separate humanitarian assistance scheme for householders. The scheme aims to provide for people who have suffered damage to their homes. I appeal to the administrators to make an extra effort to process these applications as quickly as possible and I appeal for an increase in staff, if necessary.

Apart from the financial measures, there are a number of practical measures, including relatively small remedial works, that could be looked at to alleviate flooding in the long term. In 1979, levels in Lough Rea were raised temporarily for navigation purposes but as far as I am aware, they have never been restored to their original level. I ask for this to be looked at in the context of current flooding. It is also clear that sections of River Shannon need dredging. Essentially, this involves clearing bog and undergrowth out of the river. The premise is simple. It is like a drain that has been blocked. If it is cleared, the water can flow. The Minister of State is probably aware of the cut at Mellick and Banagher which allows Lough Rea waters to flow into Lough Derg. This cut badly needs clearing as it is completely overgrown. Some work was done after 2009 and it made a huge difference but it still needs more remedial work. It is an issue that should be addressed as soon as possible.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management, CFRAM, report is due in 2016. A total of 300 flood risk areas were identified nationally as part of this work and over 60 of them are along the River Shannon. I want to see long-term solutions as possible arising from this report with one of them being one lead authority for the River Shannon.

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