New €1bn flood relief scheme gets cautious welcome

THE Government yesterday announced a €1billion flood relief scheme – but there was criticism that some communities are still unable to get insurance.

As many as 118 flood relief measures are to go ahead across the country over the coming decade, with 50 of the new schemes in priority areas to proceed immediately to the design stage. However, experts said the development doesn’t address an estimated 50,000 homes and businesses that are unable to get flood insurance cover.

Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works & Flood Relief, launched the ten-year programme. The Irish National Flood Forum – a group supporting communities at risk of flooding – said difficulty re-insuring is hindering economic development.

The group’s spokesman, Jer Buckley, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that the insurance industry has dealt with the issues ‘in a very cynical way’ by not re-insuring people who were previously flooded. He welcomed the Government’s announcement, but warned that without flood insurance it will not allow communities to reach their full potential.

A Bill put forward by Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath proposes making it mandatory for firms to insure where the Government has invested in flood insurance scheme plans proven to work. Mr Moran said he would hold detailed discussions with insurance companies to examine areas where insurance cover is still not available, despite 42 major flood relief schemes already being complete.