€200k compensation to get flood families to move

Dozens of householders in County Galway, whose properties were flooded during the disastrous winter of 2009 and again last year, could get funding of up to €200,000 to relocate from their current homes.

But such a fund would only apply to those living in areas where there is no possibility of a flood relief programme working.

At the time of the severe flooding several families were forced to move from their homes and into rented accommodation for months on end so that essential repairs could be carried out on their properties.

The worst-affected areas at the time included Claregalway, Carnmore and Ballinasloe while a number of houses in South Galway were also badly damaged by flood waters. County Galway was one of the worst affected by the non-stop rainfalls.

The Government is now considering the possibility of giving householders, who live in recognised flood plains and whose properties had flooded in the past, a sum of money to relocate if they so wish.

Following the 2009 disaster, in particular, many householders cannot get flood insurance cover as the risk of repeat flooding is considered too great. Even the provision of a flood wall in Ballinasloe, which protects around 100 homes, is not sufficient for some insurance companies to provide cover.

Minister Sean Canney, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said that the relocation scheme would apply to those who live in areas in which no flood relief programme would work.

He said that the scheme would not apply to the parts of Ballinasloe which were affected by flooding as there was an engineering solution in place to prevent these houses from a repeat situation.

Minister Canney also said that flood relief schemes had been carried out in the Claregalway area and one is planned for near Tuam – so those living in these locations would not qualify for the relocation plan.

The proposals would only apply to flooded households that cannot access insurance, whose residential property is not sustainable, and where there is no alternative solution.

The scheme is expected to cost an initial €2 million but if it gets up and running, it would require funding to the tune of nearly €20 million to implement. It is understood that several County Galway families would be interested in applying for such a relocation scheme.

It is expected that the scheme will initially focus primarily on those whose homes have been rendered uninhabitable due to the floods in the winters of 2015 and 2016.

Under the proposals, householders would be asked to meet the local authorities, the OPW and the Department of Social Protection to assess if they are eligible. A homeowner would then have three months to formally accept the offer of relocation.

The scheme would allow for a family to receive financial assistance to purchase a new home. The amount would be based on market value in the area and guidance from the local authority, but would not exceed €200,000.

A legal agreement would be drawn up between the two sides, which would allow for the demolition of their house. “This is a voluntary scheme and there is no compulsion on any householder to accept it,” Cllr Canney told the Connacht Tribune.