Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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121. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the exact figure for the amount of money that has been sent by central government to Kerry County Council over the past five weeks to help alleviate the hardship that has been imposed on families and business people who are affected by the flooding of recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7063/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Following consideration of a report from me on the severe weather that has affected Ireland, the Government yesterday decided that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. This will enable local authorities in the areas worst affected by the storms, including the most recent flooding, to help affected communities by restoring roads, coastal protection and other infrastructure and amenities. The Government decision was based on estimated costs from local authorities, including Kerry County Council. The arrangements for the drawing down of the funds by local authorities will be finalised following discussions between local authorities, my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with the intention that it will be done as speedily as possible to enable local authorities to continue to help affected communities in the areas worst impacted by the storms, including the most recent flooding.

This funding is in addition to the €25 million which Government has already announced for the Department of Social Protection’s Humanitarian Assistance schemes and €1 million of this will now be channelled through the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the Irish Red Cross to assist families affected by the storms and flooding.