9th October 2019
Minister Humphreys has announced the commencement of a €200,000 scheme to provide emergency humanitarian assistance for small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by recent flooding in Donegal as a result of Storm Lorenzo.
Minister Humphreys said, “I am aware of the significant impact which the flooding has had in Donegal and I am pleased to announce funding which will go some way towards alleviating the hardship suffered by small businesses, sports clubs, voluntary and community organisations and which will assist in getting them back up and running.”
Like previous flooding incidents caused by exceptional weather events, the scheme will be administered by the Irish Red Cross with the details being made available on their website. Minister Humphreys said “The Government has moved to have this scheme in place as quickly as possible and the scheme is designed to best assist those who have been affected. The Irish Red Cross will administer and make payments under the scheme on behalf of my Department.”
Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, said: “I have huge sympathy for anyone affected by sudden floods like the homeowners I visited last Friday. A fund like this is vital in the aftermath of damage like we saw from Storm Lorenzo in Donegal Town. It can help businesses to get over the initial impact and for those unfortunate enough to have been hardest it will also help with the cost of repairs, new floors, damaged stock and new fixtures and fittings.”
The scheme is a humanitarian support contribution towards the costs of returning small businesses, sporting, voluntary and community premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant. The scheme will not provide a contribution to loss of earnings or loss of business goodwill.
The scheme is targeted at small businesses (up to 20 employees) sports clubs and community and voluntary organisations and will have two stages:
- The first stage will commence immediately and will provide a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damage incurred. It is anticipated that this will meet the needs for the majority of those affected by the recent flooding in Donegal. The intention is to process payments as fast as possible.
- In the event, that the premises have incurred significant damages above €5,000, the second stage will provide a means to seek further support. However, this will be a lengthier process requiring a detailed assessment by the Irish Red Cross. The total level of support available for both stages combined will be capped at €20,000.
Applications forms for support will be available on the Irish Red Cross website:
www.redcross.ie
ENDS
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department has lead responsibility for Irish policy on global trade and inward investment and a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.
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