Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 649: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the flood fund that was available for victims of flooding both in County Cork and other areas; the amount that was originally allocated; the amount that has been awarded to date; and the amount that still remains in the fund. [14540/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In recognition of the devastation suffered by people in many areas of the country as a result of the flooding from November 2009 onwards the Government set up a humanitarian assistance scheme to provide income tested financial support to people who have suffered damages to their homes not covered by insurance. An initial sum of €10million was set aside by the Government for this purpose. The HSE's Community Welfare Service has been providing support to households under the humanitarian assistance scheme since last November's flooding. Up to the 9 April 2010 they had made 2,809 payments to 1,259 individuals to the value of €1,100,616 throughout the country. However, it is the nature of spend in such cases that submissions in relation to more expensive items could take some time. It is, therefore, too early to make any predictions in relation to the final spend. People seeking assistance should contact their local Community Welfare Office. Further information and applications forms in relation to the humanitarian assistance scheme are available from the Community Welfare Service in the affected areas and from the Department's website, www.welfare.ie, and the HSE's website, www.hse.ie.