Press release
Government agrees humanitarian support for householders and small businesses
From Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
The government is to provide financial supports for householders and small businesses which have been affected by the current spate of flooding.
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced the opening of a 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.
And the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has activated the Humanitarian Assistance scheme to support householders affected by flooding.
Minister Humphreys said:
“I am aware of the significant impact which the flooding has had in recent days and will continue to have over the coming weeks, and I am pleased to announce this 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 it 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.”
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:
Applications forms for support will be available on the Irish Red Cross website: www.redcross.ie.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has activated the Humanitarian Assistance scheme to support householders affected by flooding following the recent storms and heavy rainfall.
The department’s Community Welfare Services staff are engaging with the relevant local authorities and will continue to assess the level of service required in each of these areas. This interagency response ensures that supports will be provided to those affected as quickly as possible.
Financial supports will be made available to householders requiring immediate financial assistance.
This Scheme provides assistance to people whose homes are damaged by flooding or severe weather events, who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.
The department is monitoring the evolving situation and updates will be placed on the department’s website www.gov.ie/deasp and on @welfare_ie
The scheme is means tested and assistance is not provided for losses which are covered by insurance or for commercial and business losses. Further information on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/12e880-humanitarian-assistance-scheme-swa.
ENDS