THE IMMEDIATE priority in the flood crisis was helping people who are suffering hardship, Taoiseach Brian Cowentold the Dáil.

“We must also make sure that we help those in the agricultural community who are also having problems . . . and continue with the capital works,” he said.

Mr Cowen said the Government’s immediate response had been to make sure a funding line was available. Community welfare officers were making sure people who had immediate needs were helped in as speedy and flexible a way as possible.

Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan was making inquiries about the possibility of funds being made available from the EU. “Agricultural relief, such as a fodder scheme, will have to be proceeded with in line with state-aid rules, to which end we are seeking clearance,” Mr Cowen added.

A wider range of issues existed around flood management and various flood relief schemes, such as those in Mallow, Carrick-on-Suir and Kilkenny, which had been effective, he said. “There is a further commitment to investment in those areas,” he added.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kennysaid that the Government had pumped hundreds of millions of euro into loans which did not perform and which were now in a black hole. "In this case, thousands of people, who were prepared to put their money where their mouths were, have had their lives destroyed," he added.

Mr Kenny said people whose livelihoods had been washed away before their eyes, and who now wanted to rebuild their lives, careers and opportunities for their families, needed a more effective response from the Government.

He added that the Government should apply for assistance under the European solidarity fund.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmoresaid some people had told him that because they had suffered flooding before, insurance companies were reluctant to provide cover. Others were concerned they were not covered because they were in arrears with their mortgages. There were business people concerned about restocking for Christmas trade.