The Minister for Social Protection has said the flood damage she saw during a visit to Co Louth would “bring tears to your eyes”.
Minister Heather Humphreys and the minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Patrick O’Donovan visited business owners and householders in Carlingford on Friday.
A further €3 million was given as funding for the humanitarian assistance scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection this week, to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by flooding in Louth and Wexford.
Those floods followed flooding in parts of Cork and Waterford in October.
Speaking to reporters in Carlingford, Ms Humphreys said that some of those affected did not have insurance cover “through no fault of their own”.
“They need help because their houses are absolutely devastated. Like, it would really bring tears to your eyes when you see what they’re putting up with.
“They’re showing you the damage, and the dirt and the muck and all that’s involved in a house being flooded, it really is heartbreaking for them.”
Asked if the Government will have to make decisions in the future about which areas to assist as flooding becomes more widespread, Ms Humphreys said: “Of course, we have to look at what’s down the road, but my focus is here today.”
Mr O’Donovan said increased frequency and “violence” of storms is a problem, and that climate adaptation requires significant infrastructure investment.
“If you ask any farmer anywhere in Ireland at the moment, the land is saturated and we haven’t even hit the severe impact of the winter yet.
“So the reality is: our climate isn’t changing, it’s changed.
“And we have to be allowed to address that change with a greater level of speed at which we’re being allowed at moment.
“And I’m glad to see that climate adaptation is now being proffered as one of the issues that’s high on the political agenda – up to now it was just emissions reductions.”
