Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 193: To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 27 January 2010, if he has made the application for emergency funding under the EU Solidarity Fund and if this application has been lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5547/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department made an application to the EU Commission on 27th January 2010 for funding under the EU Solidarity Fund based on estimates of damage received from Departments and local authorities.

A regional application was made as the estimate of the extent of the damage does not meet the Solidarity Fund's threshold of 0.6% of GNI or €935.5m for a national disaster. There are specific criteria which must be met to ensure a successful regional application to the EU Solidarity Fund. These criteria include the majority of the population of the region being affected by the disaster and serious and long lasting effects on the region's economic stability and living conditions.

The EU Solidarity Fund does not fund full reconstruction. It funds emergency operations to allow a rapid return to normal living conditions.

My Department is continuing to work with the Commission on finalising the process.