The Irish Red Cross is to distribute Government humanitarian aid to victims of the recent floods, it was announced tonight.
The Government agreed to establish an aid scheme for those worst affected.
The Minister of State at the Office of Public Works (OPW), Mr Tom Parlon, said: "Having visited a number of locations over the last few days I am aware of the level of distress caused to people arising from damage to their homes by the flooding.
"The OPW will be engaging, as on previous occasions, the Irish Red Cross to administer the humanitarian aid scheme."
Mr Parlon emphasised that the purpose of the programme was to provide humanitarian assistance to relieve hardship and not compensation.
The Government has not yet decided the scale of the financial aid to be made available.
When the full extent of the damage is assessed, relevant announcements will be published in the national press.
Residents in flood-ravaged Clonmel, Co Tipperary called for Government compensation after the River Suir burst its banks last week.
Streets and surrounding countryside were engulfed, causing thousands of euros of damage.
It is the second major flood in the area in four years and local TDs called for the implementation of a long-delayed flood alleviation scheme for the town.
Vulnerable areas in Wexford, Cork and Galway were also badly affected by flooding.
Emergency services including the Civil Defence, borough council staff and the army worked for 36 hours to sandbag homes and businesses and rescue stranded people.
The Red Cross distributed Government compensation to residents following the last major floods in November 2000.
Some reports said the water levels this week reached 15mm higher than in the 2000 floods, which were the worst in 40 years.
PA