THE DEPARTMENT of Social and Family Affairs has confirmed €340,000 of the initial €10 million set aside by Government for victims of recent flooding has been paid out to date.
A total of 900 people have availed of the humanitarian aid fund.
Of the €340,000 distributed, the average payment has been €375, with four payments in excess of €3,000 and 26 in excess of €1,000.
Almost 400 exceptional or urgent needs payments worth €123,000 have been made to people in Cork, Clare, Galway Kildare, Leitrim, Tipperary and Westmeath, according to a spokeswoman for the department.
“It is expected that the number and size of such claims will increase over the coming weeks as flood waters abate and people assessed the damage to their homes,” she said.
Payments from the fund have been made to people who have suffered damage to their homes and contents, such as carpets, flooring, furniture and household appliances not covered by insurance.
The average exceptional or urgent needs payment has been €300. This money comes from a supplementary welfare scheme, which is demand-led.
These payments are made to families needing urgent financial assistance with basics such as food, clothing and bedding. Families have also been provided with temporary accommodation where required.
The spokeswoman said most applications had been for small sums.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Martin Mansergh has promised nine Galway TDs that the county will be given the “highest priority” for flood relief works.
He said that a working group had been set up to establish a timeframe and identify short-term drainage work which would be carried out next year, with “longer term remedial works thereafter”.