Minister Coffey commends efforts in response flooding

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has commended the efforts from Various Organisations, such as the Civil Defence, Red Cross, Coast Guard, River Rescue, Fire Service, ESB, Council outdoor staff and so many others who have assisted in trying to combat this huge flood challenge for communities, landowners and householders across the Country.  Minister Coffey also said that the government is responding to the flooding issue by implementing schemes of assistance to householders and businesses across Ireland.

“In recent weeks we have seen the wettest December on record which has led to unprecedented levels of Water in areas along the River Suir; River Clodiagh and River Blackwater.  The response from voluntary organisations has been immense and they have been of huge assistance to people in protecting their homes and trying to mitigate the impacts of the flood waters.

“The Government has introduced a scheme of assistance for people whose homes have been flooded that is being administered by the Department of Social Protection.  A scheme for businesses effected is being administered by the Irish Red Cross; both of these schemes will be of benefit to those people most acutely effected by the recent severe weather.

“Flood defences are a priority for Fine Gael in government and we have committed to €430 million of additional money to be spent in this area over the next 6 years.  We have seen the success of these schemes in Waterford in the recent past in Waterford City and in Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir.

“I am aware of the red-tape that exists that landowners have to experience when trying to remediate their lands on River Banks and I have instructed officials in my Department to review river bank management from a planning perspective with the introduction of a new protocol; so that landowners can repair their damaged lands in a controlled manner but without having to go through so much red-tape.

“The recent severe weather has shown there are some deficiencies in the schemes around Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir and they now need to be reviewed to see what needs to be done to improve these schemes further.  I am engaging with Waterford City and County Council’s Senior Officials continuously and I await to be briefed on their full appraisal and report on flooding and damage caused in Co Waterford. There is an existing €8 million fund in place to assist Local Authorities  and I’m working with my Ministerial colleagues to see that resources are substantially increased to assist Local Authorities  in the clean-up operations over the coming period.”

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