Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has sought funds under the European Union Solidarity Fund for victims of the recent flooding; if he has secured such funding; if he has sought any other form of funding from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46828/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department made an application to the EU Commission on 27th January 2010 for funding under the EU Solidarity Fund based on estimates of damage received from Departments and local authorities.

A regional application was made as the estimate of the extent of the damage does not meet the Solidarity Fund's threshold of 0.6% of GNI or €935.5m for a national disaster. There are specific criteria which must be met to ensure a successful regional application to the EU Solidarity Fund. These criteria include the majority of the population of the region being affected by the disaster and serious and long lasting effects on the region's economic stability and living conditions.

The EU Solidarity Fund does not fund full reconstruction. It funds emergency operations to allow a rapid return to normal living conditions.

My Department is continuing to work with the Commission on finalising the process.