Hayes urges local authorities to apply without delay for flood relief funding

MICHAEL O’REGAN, MARIE O’HALLORAN

Minister of State Brian Hayes has urged local authorities to apply as soon as possible for financial aid to deal with damage caused by floods and storms.

“I have given a firm commitment that we will prioritise those applications that come from the counties worst affected and we will turn them around within a matter of a week . . . no more than a 10-day period,’’ he added.

Mr Hayes said the funding given to the local authorities would be used by them in having the necessary work done by their own staff or contractors.

The Minister of State was speaking during a debate in the Seanad today on the recent flooding. The Dail is also discussing the issue.

Mr Hayes said a €25 million fund now existed for humanitarian aid to help people in the most immediate and long-term way.

He added the OPW estimated that, on the basis of reports from local authorities, some €20 million of additional funds would be required to repair flood barriers and pay for capital schemes which might well have been breached as a result of the damage caused.

Mr Hayes said that by this year, there would be detailed maps drawn up setting out the predictability of flood events in each of the six catchment river basins. They would be published during the summer, with a period of consultation, he added.

A submission would be made on areas requiring further consideration to the European Commission by December of next year. Mr Hayes estimated there were 300 areas in the State which were prone to significant flood damage.