JUNIOR MINISTER BRIAN Hayes, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, has said he believes it is ‘inevitable’ that more flood relief funding will be released for areas that need it.

Galway, Cork, Waterford and other parts of the country have been badly hit with flooding in recent days, after storm winds combined with spring tides, causing waves to break over coastal barriers and rivers to burst their banks.

Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One this afternoon, Hayes said that a decision on extra funding would be made once Cabinet received a briefing on problems in each local authority area. He said that in his opinion, the release of the extra fund was inevitable.

In addition, he said it would ‘not be unrealistic’ for Galway City Council to expect a response to its request for additional funding within the next month.

“We will fast track the applications where-ever possible,” the Minister said.

“All departments are working closely to make sure we give assistance where it’s needed most.”

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