Ó An Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta
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The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD today opened the Emergency Humanitarian Support Scheme to small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by recent flooding in Wexford.
The Tánaiste said:
"Flooding at any time of the year is a devastating event for any business but I know it was particularly difficult for those in Wexford affected over Christmas. This Scheme is set up to provide urgent assistance to businesses that were unable to get insurance, through no fault of their own, to help with the costs of repairing the damage.
"We will be working hard to help businesses get back on their feet. As with similar weather events in the past the Irish Red Cross Society will administer and make payments under the Scheme on behalf of my department."
The scheme is a humanitarian support payment 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 Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Patrick O’Donovan TD said:
"On my visit to Wexford on 26 December, I witnessed and heard first-hand from families, business owners and officials about the damage and devastation caused by the extensive flooding that occurred during Christmas.
"Opening the Humanitarian Support Scheme is an important and practical support for communities, like those in Enniscorthy and Bridgetown, to help them deal with the devastating effects of flooding quickly.
"The Irish Government has committed to a €1.3bn investment in flood relief schemes under the renewed National Development Plan to 2030 and the OPW, in partnership with Local Authorities, is working to deliver a significant planned programme of flood relief schemes."
This financial support is targeted at small businesses (up to 20 employees), sports clubs and community and voluntary organisations and will have two stages:
1. 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. The intention is to process payments as fast as possible.
2. In the event, that the premises have incurred significant damages above €5,000, businesses can apply for additional financial support, following an assessment by the Irish Red Cross. The total level of support available for both stages combined is capped at €20,000.
Applications forms for support will be available on the Irish Red Cross Society website: www.redcross.ie
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) 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.
For further information please contact Press Office, D/Enterprise, Trade and Employment, press.office@enterprise.gov.ie or (01) 631-2200.