103 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance if the closing date has elapsed for claims and submissions to the Irish Red Cross in relation to flood damage in early November; the details and the timetable for approval of applicants' submissions; if aid will be administered by the Red Cross or another office; and the amount of financial resources to be made available for such claims. [30388/00]

117 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance the details and the timetable for approval of applicants' submissions to the Irish Red Cross in relation to flood damage; whether aid will be administered by the Red Cross or another office under his aegis; and the amount of financial resources to be made available for such claims. [30304/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 117 together.

The Irish Red Cross Society requested that completed application forms for assistance under the Government's humanitarian aid scheme for the victims of flooding in November be returned to them by 8 December 2000. This was primarily in order to make the earliest possible determination of the extent of the hardship endured, viz. numbers and geographical spread of claimants, and to establish the levels of funding required to assist affected householders and others to get back on their feet.

While applications will be accepted by the Irish Red Cross Society within a reasonable period after the date the scheme cannot be left open indefinitely. The society envisages being in a position by mid January to advise me of the total amount of aid required under the scheme.

All submissions received will be strictly confidential between the individual applicant and the Irish Red Cross Society. The levels of hardship and the priority with which they shall be relieved and the timetable for payments etc. will be a matter for determination exclusively by the society.