Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. On my behalf and that of the Government, I express sympathy to the people of north Louth, including the Cooley Peninsula, who had their houses and businesses flooded last week. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, and the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donovan, visited some of the affected areas last week to see the impact of this flood event at first hand.

The flooding experienced in Louth was partly the result of heavy rain. Louth County Council’s severe weather team was convened to ensure a co-ordinated response was in place to deal with the ongoing weather problems associated with the heavy rainfall, particularly in the north of the county. The primary focus in the aftermath of the flood event was ensuring public safety by attending to road closures and infrastructural damage within the north Louth area. Since the evening of Monday, 30 October, staff of Louth County Council have responded to numerous flooding instances throughout the affected areas of the county. The fire service of Louth County Council also attended incidents throughout Monday and Tuesday of last week, rescuing members of the public from vehicles that had been stranded by flood waters. As the flood waters receded, local authority crews mobilised to remove debris from roads, enabling transport routes to reopen as soon as possible. The Civil Defence was able to help those who were isolated by the flooding and required transport to necessary appointments. Extra sandbags continue to be provided in areas where there is a risk of further flooding. A supply of sandbags is available at the designated Louth County Council depots for collection by members of the public. Louth County Council has confirmed that drains are being jetted in affected estates.

I would like to pay tribute to the staff of the local authority and other emergency response agencies for their work in very difficult and challenging conditions during this flooding event. Last week the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, announced that she has secured a further €3 million in funding for the humanitarian assistance scheme, which is administered by the Department of Social Protection. This scheme provides support to those living in properties directly affected by flooding following severe weather conditions. It prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged by flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.

Last week the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Simon Coveney, extended the two previously approved emergency business flooding schemes for small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations that are unable to secure flood insurance and have been affected by recent flooding in Louth in the period from 24 October to 5 November. Under these schemes, emergency humanitarian contributions may be made available towards the cost of returning business premises, community, voluntary and sporting bodies to their pre-flood condition, including the replacement of fittings and fixtures and damaged stock.

The response to last week's flood event in north Louth demonstrates the importance of the Government's framework for major emergency management. This underpins co-ordination of responses to all emergencies in Ireland, including flooding. Through this framework, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead Government Department, with national responsibility for co-ordinating the response to severe weather emergencies, including flooding. Local authorities are designated as lead agencies for response to flooding events within their administrative areas and for ensuring that effective arrangements are put in place to receive and respond to public service weather warnings issued by Met Éireann.

As the clean up from the event continues, the OPW and the county council are working to progress flood relief schemes which will protect at-risk properties in north Louth and the Cooley Peninsula. Last Friday drone footage was captured and other surveying has been organised. The OPW and the council will meet on Thursday of this week to assess the flood mechanisms and damages from the event. This will also help to inform the proposed flood relief scheme for Carlingford and Greenore.

This scheme is supported by the Government's €1.3 billion plan for flood relief through the national development plan. Since 2018, this funding has allowed the Government to treble to 100 the number of major flood relief schemes at design, planning and construction stages.

In conclusion, I again want to sympathise with the people whose homes and businesses were affected by last week's floods. I assure them and the House of the Government's support during the recovery and that we will protect these communities from similar events in the future.