Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce supports for home owners who will be refused home insurance as a result of November 2009 flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5377/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The question of considering the introduction of such supports does not arise at this time. It will be necessary in the first instance, in consultation with the insurance industry, to determine the extent to which the issue of the withdrawal of coverage gives rise to the difficulty highlighted in the Deputy's question. While the recent flooding in November 2009 may to lead to a situation where some people are refused home insurance cover, I am satisfied from discussions that my Department has had with the insurance industry that many such people will retain coverage albeit with a higher premium or higher level of excess to reflect the increased risk. As the Deputy may be aware a key element of the Government's response to this issue will be on flood preventative measures. While much will depend on the seriousness of the underlying flooding problem in the different localities, and how quickly these can be addressed, it is unlikely that there is a 'one size fits all' answer to this issue. In this regard the Government has allocated €50 million for flood risk management activities for 2010, which is administered by the Office of Public Works. This increased allocation will allow OPW to extend the number of Capital Works schemes already underway throughout the country. The OPW has also undertaken a rigorous collection of data and information since the November 2009 floods and has already met with several local authorities to review the recent flood events and identify actions required. This may well lead to further areas where works can be undertaken by OPW, in addition to the major schemes already under construction in Clonmel, County Tipperary; Mallow and Fermoy, County Cork; Ennis, County Clare; Mornington, County Meath; and the River Dodder in Dublin, as well as schemes at various stages of development which include Enniscorthy, County Wexford; Templemore, County Tipperary; and Bray and Arklow, County Wicklow.