Councils get further €16.5m for flood costs
Environment Minister John Gormley said councils received the payments last week.
Mr Gormley said the money would assist local authorities in meeting the exceptional costs incurred in dealing with the recent flooding crisis.
Making the announcement, Mr Gormley paid tribute to the rapid response of local authorities and their staff in attempting to minimise the impact of the flooding.
“In what was a difficult time for many businesses and households, I am appreciative of the professional and rapid response of local authorities and their staff at all levels,” he said.
Mr Gormley pointed out the funding is to contribute to meeting costs incurred by local authorities such as emergency staff, emergency materials and equipment. The funding will also help with additional operational costs associated with water services and the immediate costs arising in relation to social housing – including clean-up and temporary accommodation.
The Department of the Environment made the payments to affected local authorities in the week before Christmas.
Of the €16.5m allocated, some €5.7m was paid to Cork County Council with the city council receiving a further €3.1m, making up more than half the total allocation.
Galway County Council was allocated €3m while Clare County Council and Roscommon County Council received more than €1m each.
The remainder of the funding was spread out among local authorities in Limerick, Cavan, Tipperary, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Leitrim, Kildare and Carlow.
