27 Miss Fox asked the Minister for Finance the humanitarian aid package that has been put together to address the losses experienced in the Arklow and Avoca areas of County Wicklow by householders due to the recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26267/00]

The Irish Red Cross Society has been appointed by the Government to distribute humanitarian aid to people who suffered severe hardship as a result of the recent flooding around the country. Householders in the Arklow and Avoca areas of County Wicklow may obtain full details of the humanitarian scheme from the society, who placed advertisements in the national newspapers on 20, 21 and 22 November inviting applicants from those affected.

Claimants will need to prove hardship under one or more of the following headings: death, serious injury; homelessness; damage to home; loss of income and extreme hardship.

Completed applications forms should be returned to the Irish Red Cross Society by 8 December 2000.