Galway County Council is struggling to manage following severe flooding in the area, according to Fianna Fáil.

The party has raised concerns about the number of council workers available to help out in the flood relief efforts following a drop in staffing levels over the past five years.

General Election candidate for Galway East Cllr Anne Rabbitte said people living in Portumna, Loughrea, and Craughwell have been left devastated by the floods.

She said: "Home owners and business people need to be reassured that there will be enough staff in place to assist in the relief effort if another weather warning was to be put in place.

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"I am heartened by the great community spirit in this county. Over the last week everyone has pitched in to help neighbours, farmers and businesses who have been affected by the floods. The Fire Service, Gardai, Civil Defence along with council workers and volunteers have been going above and beyond the call of duty to respond to the scale of this disaster. However, I am gravely concerned that the public service embargo has resulted in a dramatic depletion of available council workers.

"Council staff who took part in the relief efforts over the last two weekends worked tirelessly day and night, but my main concern is the lack of boots on the ground. We have been left with skeleton staffing levels in Galway County Council as a result of the recruitment embargo, despite the fact that the Minister for the Environment has the power to make exceptions to ensure that appropriate service levels are maintained. Now, in the midst of an emergency situation, east Galway is really feeling the effects of the cuts and this is unlikely to change any time soon.

"This Government gave commitments that additional staff would be brought on board through the Gateway scheme, but where are these people now?"

(CD/MH)