Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this matter. Bandon town was devastated last Saturday night by a serious flood for the eighth time in the past 40 years. While much of the conversation in its aftermath has been on the flood relief scheme and the need to prioritise it, my priority right now is to support the businesses that have been affected, particularly those that have been hit for the second time in six years and which have been wiped out.

I commend the OPW on the work it has done on making progress on a scheme for Bandon town. There has been more progress on the scheme in Bandon in the past four years than in the previous 44 but the harsh reality is that, for the next two and a half years, Bandon town will be vulnerable to flooding. The scheme will start within six months but it will take two years to complete. It will not be until the scheme is completed that the town will finally have protection from the dreadful, awful nightmare that is flooding. In the meantime, society needs to do everything in its power to ensure it protects the businesses in the centre of the town.

The business of Mr. Frank O'Leary of O'Leary & Daughters, across from my constituency office in the town of Bandon, has been in operation for 97 years. It was completely devastated by the flood of 2009 and devastated again last Saturday night and Sunday morning. The torrential waters ruined Mr. O'Leary's drapery business for a second time and he has no insurance. It is incumbent on us as a society to address this issue. It is a matter for the Department of Social Protection because I am seeking social protection for the businesses that have been paying rates for 97 years and that have been the lifeblood of our community by giving employment and supporting everything that moved in the town. It is now time to address this. If it happened abroad, we would all be rushing ahead of ourselves to send money to the affected region as part of a humanitarian crisis response. It is time we helped our own. I very much welcome the €5 million announced by the Cabinet today and look forward to its immediate distribution to the businesses in Bandon town.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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The flooding of homes and businesses after the severe rainfall as a result of Storm Desmond has been absolutely devastating. Since the last serious floods, in 2009, there have been some remedial works. These are very welcome. More have been postponed pending the completion of consultants' reports and the CFRAM studies. As a result, families and businesses have been left without flood insurance. In the past six years, we have seen two floods of a kind that tend to occur but once in 100 years. Sadly, we are by no means out of the woods.

There has been a delay in the distribution of pumps and sandbags to flood-prone communities due to delays by the national co-ordination committee in providing appropriate warnings to the local authorities. What we now need is immediate financial support for the victims. Families need a fund that is easily accessible. Staff from the Department of Social Protection should be deployed to assist with completing the forms. The families need funding immediately to cover the costs associated with being out of their homes. Furthermore, provision needs to be made for relocation and for the refurbishment of homes. Individuals in marooned communities who need to be relocated as we speak, particularly in the Shannon Callows, need to be provided with alternative accommodation, and the associated costs need to be met.

Businesses, particularly businesses with no flood insurance, need to be compensated for the loss of income and stock and for the staff wages that must be paid at the end of this week. Provision needs to be made for the extension of bank loans until compensation kicks in for landlords, and overdraft and term facilities must be made available to businesses in respect of their stock. Funding needs to be made available for refurbishment costs, and there needs to be rates relief.

Fodder has been destroyed on farms, and funding needs to be put in place to replace it. Where stock have been taken out of sheds, bed-and-breakfast costs need to be covered.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this matter. On Saturday evening, water levels were rising in Crossmolina and other areas across Mayo to a level very near tall people's shoulders. Such is the extent of the damage. It was not six or nine years ago but three weeks ago when the last flood was experienced in Crossmolina. I have discussed this with the Minister in the interim. We are all awaiting major capital projects but simple jobs such as cleaning rivers and lifting debris from them are not being done. It seems the OPW attaches more importance to pearl mussels, or other forms of marine life and animals, than to people. As long as that is happening, the Department of Social Protection will bear the brunt of trying to compensate and come up with a scheme. As long as the OPW continues to forget the small things while it focuses on the big things, this will happen.

Businesses are uninsured because they cannot obtain insurance, not because they are responsible. I refer in particular to businesses that have rented premises or public houses. These businesses are finding it impossible to obtain insurance. Retail businesses that had peak stock in the first weekend in December saw that stock completely destroyed. Stock, including food, valued at hundreds of thousands of euro had to be destroyed on Sunday and yesterday because of the damage.

I endorse what Deputy Naughten said. Not enough preparation work was done. Can the Minister for Social Protection outline how the new scheme will work? The Taoiseach said the community welfare officers will be going from house to house in the affected areas in respect of the humanitarian assistance scheme. It is a very difficult and complicated scheme. Can we ensure that it works as easily and quickly as possible? The notion of looking for receipts and records with a view to having vouched expenses is nonsensical where somebody's house has been washed away in front of them. We will have to be incredibly flexible about this. It is time that the OPW stood up for the people in the country as much as for pearl mussels and various other creatures at the bottom of our rivers.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter today. All our thoughts are with those connected to the many homes and businesses that have suffered owing to serious flooding over the past weekend. It was a very traumatic time for many people. Unfortunately, many suffered two floods within a few weeks. I commend those who worked so hard over the weekend. Donegal County Council, the fire service, the Army, ESB and members of the local community volunteered to help the businesses and homes affected in my county and they did their best to prevent the flooding that was taking place. Across Donegal, there was very severe flooding. In some cases, it was unlike any seen in many years. Towns such as Lifford, Ballindrait, Castlefinn, Kilmacrennan, Glenties and Pettigo all suffered from very serious flooding, as did many other towns and villages to a greater or lesser extent. I hope the Minister for Social Protection will be able to assure the public today that we will see a compensation scheme that will help those people who are in tremendous distress financially and in terms of facing the task of trying to remedy the problem.

Compensation must be accessible and appropriate to the type of damage experienced, and prevention measures must be expedited to ensure there is no repeat of the flooding. Clearly, we cannot prevent rain from falling from the sky, but we must do everything in our power to ensure lessons are learned from previous flooding patterns and introduce appropriate flood defences to prevent flooding where this is possible, as is often the case. We must ensure we are prepared for similar events in the future by learning lessons from what occurred in recent weeks in order that people do not fear a repeat of this experience.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this discussion, unfortunate as it is. I speak on behalf of people in Athlone, business owners, residents and farmers, who find themselves in the same precarious position in which they found themselves in 2009. I acknowledge the great work Westmeath County Council has done in rapidly activating an emergency response, providing sandbags and industrial pumps, assisting the elderly and taking all possible preventative measures. Last night, Councillor Aengus O'Rourke and I visited Deer Park Road and Parnell Square, where we saw at first hand the anxiety and worry of residents. Thanks to the topography of the land around Athlone, the worst flooding is still to come as flood waters make their way down the River Shannon. People in the area face a difficult few days as they worry about what lies in store. It is predicted that up to 50 or 60 houses will be flooded by Saturday, not only in the areas to which I referred, but along the River Shannon in Carrick-on-Shannon, Conbonny and Golden Island.

What supports will the Department provide for people who do not have insurance and will have to move out of homes that are destroyed by flooding? How quickly will people be able to access these supports? As Deputy Calleary stated, the system must not be excessively bureaucratic, as people will otherwise be afraid to apply for the supports they need.

This is a case of déjà vu, because similar floods occurred in 2009. As recently as several weeks ago, I asked the Minster of State, Deputy Simon Harris, what progress had been made on the provision of flood relief measures in Athlone. The response from the Department referred to the CFRAM report. Six years after the publication of that report, no progress has been made on the installation of preventative measures to ensure there is no repeat of the flooding of 2009. We must support those affected here and now and discuss preventative measures at a later date.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I commiserate with all the individuals and families affected by the very difficult weather conditions. I visited Counties Kerry and Cork on Thursday and Friday. Anyone looking at the rivers in the area will have understood the amount of rain that has fallen in a short period and the difficulty this has presented.

The Department of Social Protection closely monitors weather forecasts and activated its humanitarian assistance scheme some weeks ago. We also had episodes of flooding in Counties Clare and Waterford, where we had to render assistance to a small number of families. Since the weekend, in response to flooding in Tralee, County Kerry, we placed in temporary accommodation a number of families who are tenants of the local authority and had to leave their homes. We also issued humanitarian assistance to families and application forms for such assistance. As the days pass, we expect more families to make contact with our services. We are working closely with the local authorities and I commend all the services that have responded to the floods, including staff who have been working heroically in very difficult conditions to protect people, properties and businesses.

The community welfare service and humanitarian assistance scheme have been activated and the former is open and available for contact. If Deputies are aware of people who are in a difficult position and do not know about the service, I would be grateful if they could pass on the relevant information to enable these individuals to make contact with the community welfare service. Staff are assessing and meeting the demand for assistance by members of the public as needs arise and, where necessary, visiting the homes of persons affected. This is occurring in the Athlone area, where departmental officials are in constant contact with Westmeath County Council, and they will provide whatever supports are required in Athlone and all other counties.

We are also conscious that, as a number of previous speakers noted, people have mounted a watch to ascertain when runoff water flowing through the River Shannon and other rivers may flood homes.

The Department is experienced in providing emergency humanitarian assistance. I assure the House that this is not a bureaucratic or difficult process. We have dealt with very difficult circumstances, including in King John's Island, Limerick, where staff went from door to door and established emergency premises. We will do this again where required and remain as close as possible to those who have been affected by flooding.

The Department has an allocation of €10 million to expend on emergency assistance. It can therefore meet all the assistance requirements as they arise. The Department generally adopts a three-stage approach. The first stage involves providing emergency income support payments for food, clothing and personal items in the immediate aftermath of the event. A relatively small amount of financial assistance is generally provided, with payments ranging from €100 to €500 depending on family size. The second stage generally involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items. It is not until flood water recedes somewhat that the Department is able to establish the full extent of damage to homes and what level of intervention will be required to address it. Deputies with experience of flooding will know what I am talking about. The final stage is to identify what longer-term financial support or works are required. It could take several months before this stage commences because flooded homes must first dry out and expert advice and assistance may be required.

Deputy Calleary referred to a case in which a bridge may have to be replaced, which is a matter for structural engineers and other experts. This is also the case with houses, and we have dealt with similar cases in conjunction with the Office of Public Works and local authorities. No limit is applied to the level of assistance provided under the scheme, which will depend on the needs of the individual household.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I refer specifically to the new departure of compensating businesses, and I welcome the decision the Cabinet took in that regard today. While we can discuss the delivery of schemes and so forth, it should also be placed on record that even if the flood relief scheme for Bandon had commenced six months ago, the town would still have been flooded last Saturday night. It will take another two and a half years to complete the scheme. In the meantime, we have a responsibility to protect and look after those who are affected by flooding. For this reason, I highlight and strongly welcome today's development, which means that, for the first time in the history of the State, the Government has acknowledged its duty and responsibility to protect the business community as well as home owners. The €10 million fund to which the Tánaiste referred was already in place.

Businesses affected by flooding will go to the wall this side of Christmas because their hopes of receiving a long-awaited boost over Christmas have been destroyed.

They are trying to get back on their feet. Thankfully, every business is back open in the town of Bandon but we need to ensure the funding is made available. It must not be tied up in bureaucracy, knots, form-filling and all the associated difficulties. The money should get speedily and efficiently to where it is needed most.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I thank the Tánaiste for her response. We have had severe flooding in County Roscommon as well. In places like Athleague, Roscommon and Shannon Callows there are homes that will be flooded or that have already been flooded. I have two specific questions. Will provision be made for relocation down the road, as has been the case in the past? The Tánaiste said the Government is considering or will introduce a fund for businesses. What are business owners going to tell the bank this Friday when they have to make repayments? What information do they need to satisfy whatever criteria will be laid down? They need answers on the matter now. I am meeting representatives of some of those businesses this evening and they want to know. They want to start cleaning up their premises. However, if they do not know the criteria and conditions, they have to leave it there. Do they leave it until the coming weeks when a decision is made? I need to know what to tell them this evening and what they should tell the banks this Friday.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Like previous speakers I believe we need to see information about the scheme for businesses. For most businesses this four-week period pays for the next three months. This is the time of year when they get the chance to get back in shape after some difficult trading conditions. They are not going to be able to do that now. We need to give some information.

The Tánaiste referred to staff on the ground in Athlone and Tralee. Can we put staff on the ground in Crossmolina? There is no social welfare office there as such, but it would be helpful if staff were available there in the coming days.

I realise farming is not an area of responsibility for the Tánaiste. However, a great deal of fodder and winter stock has been washed away and a great deal of land is under several feet of water. We need to put in place a package with rules and regulations for farmers as well. Unfortunately, the damage that has been done and that will be done is extraordinary. In Ballina we are living from tide to tide this week. We need information on all these packages in order that the matter is out of the way within the coming days.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Tánaiste her for her reply. The crucial point now is that those affected by the flooding can see how to access the compensation fund. It must be made easy for them to do so and they should be assisted as much as possible. The already complicated situation facing them should not be made more difficult by the process of engaging with local services.

It is also crucial that the decision on access to a fund by businesses is made promptly. This should not be allowed to drag. They deserve to know that this decision will be made rather than being left in limbo.

The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Harris, is beside the Tánaiste. It is crucial to ensure any remaining CFRAM reports are expedited in key areas. Some weeks ago I raised the issue of the CFRAM reports for the Letterkenny, Raphoe and Ramelton areas, all of which were flooded previously. The reports are required to make recommendations on the possible remediation works.

Two councillors, Councillor Paddy McGowan and Councillor Jack Crawford, have raised the matter of responsibility for the River Finn in County Donegal. Ballybofey and Stranorlar experienced very bad flooding, as did many towns along the River Finn. There is confusion over who exactly is responsible for maintaining the River Finn and carrying out works on the river. I call on the Minister of State and the OPW to look into this matter to bring clarity. There should be a lead agency to take responsibility for addressing and putting in place proposals for remediation.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Farming is a business to many people. Will the farmers who have suffered savage losses in recent days be accommodated? Many people are going to have to relocate. Do we have confidence that we will have homes for them to relocate to, given the serious housing shortage at present? Can we guarantee the families who have to relocate that they are going to have a home for Christmas? Friday two weeks from now will be Christmas Day. Some people are going to have to move out over Christmas. Can we guarantee the position for them?

I was meeting people quietly last night. People were asking questions about supports. As far as they were aware, no community welfare officer was going from house to house yesterday. Perhaps it started today, but I am unsure. Anyway, we need to ensure that applications are taken now and processed without delay.

There is a necessity for new schemes. We are waiting on a report that is going to confirm what we already know, in other words, where there are serious difficulties with flooding. We need to ensure that action is taken now for the sake of the people who have gone through this terrible ordeal in 2009 and who are going through a terrible ordeal now. It seems the corncrake is dictating what is happening at a time when houses are being flooded. We need to prioritise and ensure that we do not have a situation where €14.5 million allocated for flood relief measures remains unspent at a time when houses are going underwater.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Reference was made to small businesses and the development of a €5 million fund to assist them in the run-up to Christmas, when many businesses would have been anticipating an active and successful Christmas season. That fund will be administered on behalf of the Government through the Irish Red Cross. It will allow for maximum flexibility of the type described by a number of Deputies. Like the humanitarian assistance scheme of the Department of Social Protection, it is highly flexible. We have sorted out many issues in respect of housing and locating homes if people have to be relocated. The idea is that they are as close as possible to where they were but out of flood danger.

Obviously, there are issues with places where, unfortunately, in the past, some homes were built on floodplains. When I became Minister I worked to sort out some of the issues arising from the terrible things that happened during the 2009 floods and rains. Ultimately, we were able to assist almost all of the families affected. Nonetheless, it is an incredibly difficult thing for a family. I think I met most of the people affected. I have been in most of the flood locations throughout the country.

Department of Social Protection officials, in particular those from the community welfare service, are on standby and have been on standby with no particular public fanfare. We have already been addressing issues that arose in recent times in Waterford and Clare. Over the weekend our officials were on the ground in Tralee sorting out and relocating families as well setting up humanitarian assistance for families.

I understand that in Athlone and further up the Shannon the people affected are incredibly apprehensive, as are people further down the river in Limerick. All these people have experienced dreadful flooding before. We are on standby to address this. We work through the local agencies. We act on any advice or information that we receive from other organisations, including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul immediately. We have made the process as simple as possible.

Deputies should bear in mind that in a flood it may not be possible to identify instantly everything that arises, either in respect of a business or a family home. Therefore, in the first stage, we concentrate on emergency payments. In the second stage we concentrate on essentials, such as white goods, fridges and so on, which may have been destroyed. In the third stage when we have expert assessment we concentrate on what needs to be rebuilt. Obviously, if people have private insurance, generally speaking, they look after themselves. I am mindful of the fact that because of the history of flooding many people do not have insurance. That is where the flood schemes and humanitarian relief scheme come into their own.