Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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578. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the inter-agency flood response plan for Bantry (details supplied); and the warning level at which such a plan is instigated. [62090/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is mandated to undertake the Lead Government Department function for co-ordination of a "whole-of- Government" response to exceptionally severe weather events. The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management carries out this function within my Department, as assigned under the Strategic Emergency Management Framework.

Local authorities are designated with the responsibility for the response to severe weather emergencies, including flooding. It is widely acknowledged that local authorities consistently demonstrate both leadership and capacity in dealing with severe weather incidents. All local authorities prepare and operate individual severe weather and flood plans, which guide their response to flooding and other severe weather events.

All matters in relation to the coordinated response to severe weather events locally, including flooding incidents, lie with the local authority concerned as the principal response agency, including the inter-agency response.

We understand from Cork County Council that Bantry Fire Service mobilised to flooding in Bantry at 04.09hrs (04.11.25), following heavy rainfall and reported road flooding at the junction of Main Street and New Street. Bantry Fire Service deployed three portable pumps and the Council Road Services were also in attendance until the flooding subsided. The flooding affected a number of business premises.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment operate an Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme for business. The scheme is activated for specific flooding incidents. This scheme is targeted at small business, providing a contribution to small businesses of up to 20 employees, as well as to community, voluntary and sporting bodies, which have experienced damage as a result of flooding. A condition of eligibility for these schemes is that a business must not have been able to obtain flood insurance. We understand that the Department of Enterprise, Tourism & Employment has confirmed the premises involved in this flooding incident with Cork County Council and will activate the Humanitarian Flooding Scheme to support the business premises not covered by insurance. Once activated, the scheme is operated by the Red Cross.