Cork TD Deirdre Clune will raise the issue of Ireland applying for European Union funding to address the worst affects of the recent flooding with the Taoiseach this week in the Dáil.

I have discussed the possibility of Ireland applying for funding under the European Union Solidarity Fund with Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly. The fund was established in 2002 in response natural disasters after severe foods in Eastern Europe and should be open to an application from Ireland after our severe flooding.

To qualify for relief from the fund Ireland would need to have suffered damage of 0.6% of Gross National Product or €973 million. It is for the Government to make a national application for funding and I will be raising this matter with the Taoiseach in the Dáil this week.

Given the devastation caused across the country by flooding in the last few weeks I think it is important that the Government take a proactive step here to seek this funding.

EU Commissioner for Regional Development, Mr. Pavel Samecki, met with the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee last week and indicated that he would be willing to send a delegation to examine the extent of the damage and assess our eligibility for funding if an application was made.