Andrew Carey
MINISTER for Finance and Limerick TD Michael Noonan has said that extra funding will be made available to those worst hit in the floods of last weekend.
Speaking in Limerick this Monday, accompanied by Minister Brian Hayes and Minister for housing Jan O’Sullivan, Minister Noonan said that money would be available to assist people get back on their feet.
The government delegation was met with groups working in the clean up operation as homes were destroyed and families displaced.
Feeling frightened and isolated, many said they just wanted warmth and a roof over their heads and for the government to take immediate action.
Minister Hayes said he had dealt with a number of these flooding type incidents in the past but Limerick’s St Mary’s Park was by far the worst he had ever seen.
He said the people in St Mary’s Park are facing an “appalling situation” and he would not disagree with it being labelled a “humanitarian crisis”.
During the walkabout, Minister Michael Noonan said that given the scale of the damage he has pledged to provide additional funding to assist those affected.
He said €10m had been allocated but more would be available if required.
Calling to homes and meeting those worst affected, Minister Noonan pledged that if “extra money is needed, we will provide it,” he said.
“When we know what the total cost is across the country, we’ll provide the funds,” he added.
Minister Hayes said that “It’s a terrible situation that people are in… Every government department and the local authorities must work together to ensure that people never, ever have to go through this again,” he said.
