€800,000 spent on crisis funding to 1,135 flood victims

ALMOST €800,000 has been paid out to date to provide emergency funding to assist 1,135 victims of the recent floods.

Figures obtained by The Irish Timesshow that from a special fund of €10 million, the Department of Social and Family Affairs has provided €790,335 to 1,135 flood victims across more than 10 counties, stretching from Cork to Roscommon, affected by last November's floods.

A department spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that the highest amount provided under its humanitarian assistance scheme for flood victims is in excess of €20,000.

The outlay brings to more than €17 million the amount spent in response to the recent floods, with the Department of the Environment allocating €16.4 million to 19 local authorities.

The worst affected areas during the flooding were Galway, Cork and Clare. The highest amounts were paid out in those areas.

The highest amount, €242,166, was paid out to 305 flood victims in Galway, while €203,599 has been paid out to 425 people affected in Cork.

In Co Clare, €185,118 was paid to 89 flood victims, including €52,638 to the Lynch Hotel Group to provide emergency accommodation and food to 76 adults and 46 children between November 19th and December 22nd.

Health Service Executive (HSE) staff provided assistance to the flood victims at the emergency accommodation in Clare on evenings and weekends. A Freedom of Information response by the HSE stated that there was no overtime costs incurred, as the HSE personnel worked for free.

One of the worst affected areas was Ballinasloe, Co Galway whose Mayor, Cllr Johnny Walsh (Independent) has estimated there are still about 50 of the 100 families evacuated from their homes in the town who are not back in their houses.

The figures show that €47,281 was paid to 71 claimants in Co Tipperary, with €35,465 paid to 85 victims in Westmeath, while 24 claimants received €14,686 in Roscommon.

The figures show that 21 victims have received €10,005 in Co Limerick, while 11 claimants received €6,050 in payments in Co Kildare.

The department spokeswoman said: “Very few large-scale claims have been made as houses requiring substantial works are by and large still flooded and owners have not yet established the cost of repair. It is expected that large scale claims will be received over the coming weeks.”

As part of the €16.4 million provided to local authorities, Department of the Environment figures show that it provided €5.7 million to Cork County Council, €3.1 million to Cork City Council and €3 million to Galway County Council to combat flooding last year.