Humanitarian Aid Scheme opens

For small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies in Cork city and county affected by recent flooding, help may be at hand. 

This week the Government opened the Emergency Humanitarian Aid Scheme which provides urgent funding of up to €20,000 to entities that could not secure flood insurance and have premises that have been damaged by recent exceptional weather events.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said: “This flood damage is devastating for the people of Cork and comes after what has been an exceptionally difficult year for business owners and their staff.

“This scheme is designed to provide urgent help to those who have not been able to secure flood insurance, through no fault of their own. Up to €20,000 in cash for emergency repairs and replacement of damaged stock or equipment is available and I’d like to encourage all of those affected to apply through the Red Cross.”

The first stage will commence immediately and will provide a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damage incurred. Payment will be processed as fast as possible. In the event that a premises has incurred significant damages above €5,000, businesses can apply for additional financial support.

Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Patrick O’Donovan, said: “I was in Cork city on Tuesday morning and saw for myself the damage that has been done. It is truly heart-breaking for those involved. This scheme will provide urgent assistance which is so vitally needed at this time.”

The scheme is administered by the Irish Red Cross Society on behalf of and funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as has been the case for similar weather events in the past.

Financial support is targeted at small businesses (up to 20 employees), sports clubs and community and voluntary organisations. Applications forms for support and further information is available on the Irish Red Cross Society website, redcross.ie.