Tolan calls for national flood support fund to be established

Local Fine Gael Councillor and Bettystown resident, Sharon Tolan is calling on the Government to establish a National Flood Support Fund for homeowners affected by flooding not covered by insurance.

Tolan has said that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme that is currently available to provide support and prevent hardship is not serving the needs of the public impacted by climate change and continued development.

“The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is means tested so not everybody qualifies for support under that fund," she said.

"We have hundreds of homeowners right across the country who are severely impacted by flooding through absolutely no fault of their own. In August it was Bettystown and Clontarf, this week it’s Cork and Waterford," she added.

Tolan said that similar to the 27 homes flooded in the Village Estate in Bettystown 12 weeks ago, it is doubtful that many of the Midleton flood victims will qualify for Humanitarian Assistance.

"It is costing people thousands of euros and so much stress trying to find the funds to carry out the clean up and the repairs necessary," she said.

"Meanwhile in Bettystown, we are still none the wiser about a potential Flood Relief Scheme to protect the homes that continue to be at risk.

" I am calling on the Government to act swiftly and establish a National Flood Support Fund to ease the burden on all victims of flooding that are not covered by insurance.”