Flood Aid 'Delivered Slowly'

Many of the victims of last month's flooding are still waiting for the promised compensation from the Government.

People affected by the recent deluges in the east of the State has received less than €500,000 of the €10m cash from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Several weeks ago, the Department of Social and Family Affairs announced the plans to compensate some of the property owners' losses during floods.

Currently, the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme have made 900 payments of €375 of average for property not insured while the Urgent Needs Scheme for food and clothing has delivered 400 payments around €300.

The average of the HSE payout is about €250.

Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin explained that the application's purpose is for the people worst hit to be able to return to their homes, and said that, if it is required, the Government can increase the budget.

Michael Ring, Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, said that €70m were promised. However, this quantity is for relief work next year and families are just receiving an average of €300.

In addition, the voluntary organisation St Vincent de Paul paid out around €500 to each affected household in Ballinasloe as well as having distributed furniture, bedding and other household needs.

For this reason, the Mayor John Walsh stated community response is "what has got people through".

Before Christmas, those living in two-storey houses may get back into their houses but bungalow owners will have to wait until after New Year.

People have received emergency money from the HSE but not humanitarian funding, which supposedly it is carrying out this work.

The HSE announced that affected people will be kept of fresh developments through public meetings and other means on how best to apply.

Meanwhile, Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen confirmed that farmers have to submit applications for assistance under the Aid Scheme for Damaged Fodder before the end of this week.

Clare Fianna Fail Deputy explained the Department of Agriculture, considering the difficult conditions still living by farmers, put off the closing date by one week, to 18 December 2009 and also stated payments will begin later this week.

(CL/BMcC)