JUST €1.6 million of the €10 million package made available by the government following flooding in 2009 has been claimed to date.
The small amount of claims has prompted Labour Party TD Joe Costello to call upon to the government to ensure that protocol is put in place to ensure funding to help flood victims is properly advertised.
Speaking on the matter, Dublin-based Deputy Costello said: “I think when the government is making funds available that it is very important that it is properly advertised and everyone one knows it is available.”
Deputy Costello said he has received many complaints from people “saying that they don’t know the entitlements they have when this happens”.
He said the government should have protocol to ensure that such funds are properly and extensively advertised to ensure people don’t miss out on the chance to avail of such funding.
Deputy Costello also said that the funds should be dealt with by an independent agency such as the Red Cross and that this organisation should look after any funds allocated to the victims of the most recent flooding.
Of the leftover funds, Deputy Costello said:
“I think it should be ring fenced – I don’t think should go back into the Exchequer. It should be used for if another calamity or emergency like this occurs.”
The government have made a further €10 million available to those affected by last month’s flooding, which occurred mainly in the capital.
Payments will be means tested and the Department of Social Protection will run the fund.
The money will be used to cover damage to a person’s home and its basic contents, such as carpets, flooring, furniture, household appliances and bedding, while structural damage may also be considered.
However, payments will not be made to businesses or for losses covered by insurance.
