Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With all due respect, we know the schemes that are available. My point is that the schemes available are too restrictive and legitimate family-run businesses, the backbone of the local economy, are being penalised. The Minister visited the areas and the Taoiseach came out of hiding after four weeks and visited the areas. Well done, he did his job. However, he made a promise when he visited the areas that the people who were not getting funding but who deserved it would get it. Four weeks on, that has not happened.

All through Christmas, I was in a dry house, thank God. What must it be like for people who were left with the severe destruction of flooding? The Government is not providing the assistance they deserve. I do not want to hear any more about reviews or exceptional needs payments. These people need help and assistance now. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, needs to say he accepts that the scheme as it was originally set up is too restrictive and that these people will be accommodated. The Tánaiste, Deputy Burton, needs to say she is instructing the community welfare officers in this regard. I pay tribute to community welfare officers for the work they are doing but they too are operating under restrictive conditions.

People who gave up their time and took unpaid leave to protect their homes have additional ESB and fuel charges and the cost of the hire of pumps. These costs must be included. What we are effectively saying to people is that if they did not protect their houses and let them flood, we would have put them up in the local hotel and given them assistance to repair the houses on their return. The people who protected their houses should also be compensated.

It is not their fault their houses, businesses and lands were flooded. It is not their fault they cannot obtain insurance. However, it is the Government's fault that it is not stepping up to the mark and providing the compensation that is urgently needed.

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