Department seeks help with flood area figures

Minister for State at the Office of Public Works Brian Hayes has asked residents in flood-affected areas to help his department find out how many homeowners are being refused house insurance.

He was speaking at a meeting of the National Flood Forum, which was set up in the aftermath of the Nov 2009 flooding which caused extensive damage in towns such as Ballinasloe, Skibbereen, and Bandon, and cities such as Cork.

The insurance industry has told the minister that the figure for those refused insurance cover is as low as 10% but this has been challenged by affected communities.