Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Many houses suffered severe damage as a result of recent flooding. Some people have had to spend over €100,000 in refurbishment and replacing furniture. In order to take remedial action we have been advised it may have to go through the planning process. Can the Department work with local authorities on using section 181 of the Planning Act 2000 in order to expedite flood relief programmes, especially where remedial action can be put in place in order to prevent a reflooding occurring? Someone might spend €100,000 and they worry that in 12 months, there will be a repeat flooding and the money they have spent will go down the shore. I ask that section 181 of the Planning Act be looked at with local authorities to see what can be done to expedite flood relief programmes.

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