Group to meet O Cuív over flood funds

OIREACHTAS members are to meet Social Protection Minister Éamon O Cuív later today in an attempt to force him to hand over vital funds to victims of Cork’s November floods.

Fine Gael’s Deirdre Clune demanded the Government must make attempts to fast-track funds for victims who are facing mounting debt.

“This meeting is about bringing widespread concerns to the minister about what is taking place on the ground,” Ms Clune explained.

“Some people are out of pocket by €5,000 from the fund – they ask for €6,000 and receive €1,000.

“Some are being turned down for sheets and bedding costs and others have the added issue of not being able to re-insure their houses.

“We will be raising these issues with the minister and hope they will be addressed,” she added.

The meeting will take place with Mr O Cuív at Leinster House, with the cross-party Cork delegation. The meeting will also be attended by representatives of St Vincent de Paul in Cork, who estimate that victims of the floods crisis are collectively out of pocket by at least €1 million.

In the immediate aftermath of the November floods crisis, Taoiseach Brian Cowen announced a €10m emergency fund for flooding victims across the country.

However, in the intervening period less than €2m has been provided nationally to victims – with under €500,000 made available for those affected in Cork, one of the most-damaged areas during the flooding crisis.

After a meeting at Cork City Hall two weeks ago, TDs and senators in the county agreed to seek a meeting with senior ministers to address the issue.

The meeting comes as the final touches are put to two reports vital to uncovering the reasons for the floods crisis in Cork last November.

A long-awaited Oireachtas Environment Committee report, based on meetings with flood victims, Cork City Council, Cork County Council and ESB representatives, is due to be published in July.

While the document will not be legally binding, it will contain a series of conclusions on what happened and recommendations on how a repeat of the incident can be prevented.

An independent report commissioned by victims group the Cork Floods Action Committee (CFAC) is also expected to be concluded next month.

The CFAC has said the second report, which is being drawn up by an unknown international consultancy firm, will form the basis of a likelymulti-million euro legal case against any organisation found responsible for the flood damage caused.