Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 645: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in the payment of re-location money to persons in County Galway who were affected by the flooding in 2009; if design costs, legal costs, engineering and planning costs, site costs, demolition and restoration of the site of existing dwellings, and other ancillary costs were included in the calculation of the payment as well as construction costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19019/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Government has provided various types of support to people affected by the November 2009 flooding. Humanitarian Aid payments were made, both in the immediate aftermath of the flooding and subsequently to enable eligible households to resume living at their home. Flood relief works were also undertaken in some of the affected areas and other works are at an advanced state of preparation. Discussions also took place with representatives of the insurance industry regarding giving households access to appropriate house insurance at a reasonable cost.

Subject to certain conditions the Government also decided to offer support to a small number of families who are continuing to experience significant housing problems as a result of the November 2009 flooding and are considering relocating rather than permanently returning to their original home. A letter inviting the household to formally apply for assistance toward relocation issued in November 2011. A number of the families, who received these letters, requested a meeting with Departmental officials to discuss their particular case. These meetings took place in March and April this year.

The information necessary to make a decision on the amount payable in all cases is being finalised at present and this amount will be communicated to the affected households in the coming weeks. Additionally, Department officials are currently in consultation with the Chief State Solicitors Office to finalise legal agreements which will need to be signed by all parties to the agreement. Payment will issue to families in accordance with these legal agreements.

The basis of the financial assistance to be provided is as follows:

(a) The gross cost of relocation will not exceed an estimate (provided by the local authority) of the cost of providing a reasonable home in the area in question. This has been estimated by the local authorities at €130,000 in respect of a three bed house and €145,000 in respect of a four bed house.

(b) In addition a maximum amount of €55,000 is to be allowed in situations where affected householders do not have access to a site for the rebuilding of a house

(c) An additional maximum amount of either €25,000 or €30,000 (depending on whether three or four bed house is involved) is to be allowed for costs associated with the demolition of the unsustainable house and in connection with other costs such as design costs, legal costs, engineering and planning costs and site costs.