Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, for taking this topical issue and for his recent reply to my questions regarding the flooding in Dublin city. I welcome both the long-term redress measures outlined in the Minister of State's reply to me and the different stages in which things will happen in the next couple of years. However, I am greatly concerned by the here and now and by what measures are being taken to help flood victims living across the Camac and Poddle rivers, many of whom have been left homeless for weeks with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs when they left that evening. As winter approaches, what is being done by the Office of Public Works and Dublin City Council with regard to the recurring floods that may take place in the coming weeks and months?

Last month, residents of Kilmainham Lane, Carrickfoyle Terrace, Millbrook Terrace, Harold's Cross and Kimmage were devastated by the flash flooding. In a matter of minutes, some suggest it was as few as eight minutes, their homes were completely flooded and in some cases, to an extremely dangerous level. Having witnessed personally many houses that had been flooded to the ceiling, it was difficult to understand how people had managed to escape. All their possessions were destroyed and in some cases, major structural damage was done to the houses with the result that some people may never enter them again. For instance, this is the third time since the 1940s that the Lady's Lane-Carrickfoyle Terrace area has been flooded. As a result of flooding in the past, residents there have found it very difficult to get insurance. Moreover, it now appears as though the small number who previously have managed to do so will not be able to get insurance in the future. At present, with nothing but sandbags to keep the water out of their homes, they themselves state they have no hope of being insured by anyone unless immediate action is taken.

I wish to compliment the Civil Defence, the emergency services and Dublin Fire Brigade in particular, which reacted quickly on the evening of the flooding. They appeared in certain areas within minutes simply to help people from their homes, never mind to deal with the water that was surging through the walls. As the water level rose quickly, there was little time to save many of the homes, some cars and in particular, personal belongings. I stood in many houses after the waters had subsided and many residents had lost treasured and beloved personal items that never can be replaced. Tragically, as Members are aware, two people lost their lives during the floods and one must do everything possible to prevent such deaths in future.

At present, sandbags along the Camac River are not the solution. A permanent emergency structure must be installed to reinforce the boundary wall of the river. I am not an engineer or anything like that but in the past I have noticed how some places have been shored up with steel plate girders to reinforce the banks while waiting for the measures that will be taken later. I understand perfectly that money and everything else may be an issue.

Unfortunately, however, many of the people concerned have been left with nothing. I am very concerned about them, their mental health and everything else. They still feel abandoned and that they have been left on their own. I ask the Minister of State to make a statement on what can be done to immediately help them. I welcome the Minster for Social Protection, Deputy Burton's fund of €10 million which has really started to kick in, although it has taken time to organise on the ground. If anything can be done immediately to help those living on the banks of this river who find that their only protection against another flood in coming months is sandbags, it should be done.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to set out for the information of the House some issues regarding the Camac and Poddle rivers. Many residents of Dublin city suffered trauma on the night of 24 October. I take the opportunity to express my personal sympathy and concern to the victims of the flooding, in particular those who lost family members, and other members of the public who had homes and businesses destroyed.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, as the co-ordinating Department, under the emergency management framework is carrying out an in-depth review of emergency response procedures, actions and mechanisms with a view to identifying improvements within the framework. In the light of the severity of the flooding event on 24 October, that Department is carrying out a review of the event for consideration by the Government task force on emergency planning at its next meeting.

I understand Dublin City Council is still compiling its reports on the impact of flooding in its area, including the impact of the flooding of the Camac and Poddle rivers on the night of 24 October. Owing to the multiplicity of the flooding instances on the night, it will take some time to complete this report. When it is completed by the council and it asks the OPW to take action, either by way of the minor works scheme or alternatively by way of a longer term solution, possibly under the CFRAM proposal, we will follow up on this. I assure the Deputy the funds are available in the Department, although the lead Department is the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Our task is to respond to ideas that come from local authorities. We have yet to receive the report but when we do, we will work with the city council on the measures that can immediately be taken.

The minor works scheme is very effective because applications come in on a 24-7 basis to my Department and are turned around on one criterion only , namely, that if there is any value to be gained in spending the money, we will spend it. However, we are in the hands of Dublin City Council until it brings forward applications on a range of measures it considers necessary. We will then take action. Funds are in place this year and for next year. We have managed to ring-fence the capital budget for the purposes of flood defences, which are very important. Approximately €250 million will be spent in this area in the next five years, some €45 million each year for the next five years.

As I said, we are very much in the hands of local authorities. I can understand in the case of Dublin City Council why it might take some time for it to assess the damage done and produce a report. When the report is received by my Department and we are asked to take action on emergency or more long-term measures arising from the CFRAM study of both rivers being examined, we will take action.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am happy that money has been put aside. I perfectly understand that dealing with what happened in October crosses many Departments. However, since the initial response was made on the night by Dublin City Council, it has taken a while to get things in place. I know about the concerns of people living along the Camac, that the only things between them and rising water in the next couple of weeks are sandbags. I hope the Minister of State's Department or Dublin City Council will consider providing for an emergency structure, for example, steel plates to provide reinforcement. On Lady's Lane, many people have begun to clear out their homes to undertake remedial works to try to get back to live in them in basic conditions; many are living with their families, sleeping on settees and so on. This is not an adequate solution to their problems.

Many apartment blocks were flooded on the night and many people lost cars. I have heard stories that people are still being asked to pay management fees and rent, although in some buildings the electricity has not been switched back on. While that has nothing to do with the Minister of State, I make the point nonetheless. Although I may have to raise this issue with other Departments also, I welcome the response of the Minister of State and hope that when the report is compiled by Dublin City Council, the work will be done quickly for those who want to remain in their homes for the next 100 years, given that the houses on Lady's Lane are 140 years old.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I again thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Mine is a funding Department which gives out money based on applications received. Within the Department there is considerable expertise in engineering and hydrology. We will work with the local authorities concerned.

I understand the Deputy's frustration at the length of time it is taking to have the report published. In each of the affected local authority areas, whether it be South Dublin County Council or Dublin City Council, it takes time to find out the number of houses affected and the number with or without insurance. Obviously, it is very important when an event happens that we encourage people in the first instance to contact their insurance companies. Most of the claims have already been made and are being turned around. As the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, has informed the House, there is a very substantial humanitarian fund of up to €10 million available which can be accessed on the basis of needs, particularly by those who do not have insurance cover either because they are unable to obtain such cover because of a past event or, alternatively, because they cannot afford it. It is crucial that we turn around applications as soon as possible and receive the report. We would appreciate any effort the Deputy could make with the local authority to have applications submitted to us and she may be assured that they will be turned around as quickly as possible.