The Junior Finance Minister will visit flood-hit communities in Kerry and Cork today.

The visit comes after the Taoiseach admitted yesterday that the government hasn't earmarked enough funding to provide adequate flood defences around the country.

Thousands of homes and businesses in the south and southeast of the country have been left devastated after this week's flooding.

Minister Brian Hayes says the government has a plan for dealing with the clean-up operation:Meanwhile, a report from the Environmental Protection Agency is warning the government must begin preparing to cope with extreme weather in the future.

The report from scientists in NUI Maynooth recommends new regulations be put in place to make sure new buildings can take the kind of conditions that are becoming more common in Ireland.

It sets out the parts of the country that researchers believe will be most at risk of flooding, but also warns that water shortages will affect all areas, particularly the south.