Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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87. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the moneys that were paid out to persons in County Galway relating to the flooding incident in 2009; the number of persons who applied for such funding; the number who were eventually successful; the amount of the funding that was allocated to the areas of Ballinasloe and Claregalway respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4528/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, the Department of Social Protection (DSP) has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as the flooding of November 2009, October 2011, June 2012 and that experienced during recent weeks.

A humanitarian assistance scheme was approved by Government in response to these floods. The scheme, which is means tested, is available to people whose homes were damaged in the flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair as a result of the flooding damage.

To date a total of €2.2 million has been paid out under the humanitarian assistance scheme of which €660,000 has been paid in respect of some 1,200 claims in County Galway. Statistics are not available in relation to specific locations within the county, such as Ballinasloe or Claregalway, or in relation to the number of applicants who were unsuccessful with their claim.

The Government decided in December 2010 that this Department could hold a provision of up to €4 million to assist up to 20 households (in Galway, Roscommon and Offaly) who experienced severe flooding in November 2009 toward relocation costs. Contracts have been issued to the 20 customers who are eligible for relocation costs under the scheme and to date compensation totalling €1.5 million has been paid to 10 of these applicants who have complied with the conditions of the scheme. Nine of these customers live in Co. Galway.

Any person experiencing hardship as a result of flooding should contact their local DSP staff administering the supplementary welfare allowance scheme who may be able to offer assistance.