Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Finance if phase two of the Clonmel flood relief scheme will assist householders and businesses to receive house insurance covering flooding once more; the discussion he has had with insurance providers to assure those persons affected by the floods provide this cover; if there is an Exchequer funded scheme of insurance which will cover persons in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43976/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset the Deputy should note that the decision to provide any specific form of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter based on the assessment an insurer will make of the risks involved. Therefore, neither I nor the Financial Regulator has any direct influence over the decision by the insurance industry to provide flood insurance cover in the Clonmel region again. That said however the Office of Public Works has informed me that the enhanced level of protection from flooding which will be provided by the Clonmel flood relief scheme, once completed, is something which they presume will be taken account of by the insurance industry. Therefore I would not be satisfied if the insurance industry failed to factor this development into any future risk based assessment on providing insurance cover in this area at the appropriate time.

It should also be noted that my Department is in regular contact with the insurance industry about a range of issues including the recent flooding. In this regard I am actively encouraging the industry to respond to the payment of claims as quickly as possible, and I understand that everything is being done to facilitate such a process.

Finally, while there is no Government insurance scheme in place for those affected by the recent flooding, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs has announced the setting up of a 10 million euro fund to assist flooding victims. The purpose of this fund is to help alleviate hardship and support people who have suffered damage to their homes including the provision of temporary accommodation. Further details can be obtained on the Department of Social and Family Affairs website.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the flooding section of the Office of Public Works' website cannot be used to collate all flood warnings and information in order that persons have one central place to check on the danger of flooding in their area; and the further reason that section of the website has not been updated and therefore cannot provide assistance to persons in south Tipperary. [43977/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The primary purpose of the flooding.ie website, established by the OPW, is to provide general information to the public on awareness and preparedness in advance of flood events occurring. It is designed to enhance citizens' ability to be prepared, at an individual level, for dealing with flooding events in their locality, homes or businesses.

It is not designed, nor does it operate, as a method of disseminating flood warnings. It is a matter for each local authority to provide information on the preparation and coordination of responses to emergencies, resulting from events, including severe weather events, such as flooding.

In the light of weather-related events over the last number of days, the flooding.ie website has incorporated links to relevant local authority websites, including the South Tipperary County Council website, where updates on flooding information can be obtained for those localities.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that phase two of the Clonmel flood relief scheme will proceed; if this funding has been sanctioned and ring-fenced for this work; and when it will begin. [43978/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I would refer the Deputy to my reply on 26 November to his PQ No. 94. OPW is making provision within its budget for the construction of the North and East phases of the Clonmel Flood Relief Scheme (which will be carried out simultaneously). The scheme will be submitted to the Minister for Finance for confirmation when the tenders have been received back and actual tender prices are available. My officials are preparing to issue tender documents before Christmas, and these will be assessed with a view to submitting these phases to the Minister for Finance for confirmation early in 2010. The expectation is that the Scheme will be confirmed at that stage, and the necessary funding to proceed with it will be made available.