Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This scheme was particular to the Shannon Callows SAC. There are obviously instances of flooding in areas across the country where there is no flood scheme. This is the first time we have ever done this. It has never happened before. The challenge in any scheme like this is determining where to draw the boundaries and the lines. The issue raised by the Deputy and others related to the Shannon Callows in particular. There is a Shannon Callows SAC. With regard to the administration of the scheme, it is those within that SAC who get the payment. People often make the case that there is no benefit to an SAC designation. In this instance, there certainly is because it is the basis of the terms and conditions for applications. I accept that there are always issues as regards where the boundaries are and where the line is drawn. That is always challenging. However, in this instance, 268 of 277 applicants have been paid while another 64 are being assessed. I have no doubt that some of these will get payments where they can show they were within the SAC and met the criteria and where any issues with the initial assessment are clarified. However, it is restricted to the SAC area.

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