The Emergency Business Flooding Schemes have been extended to businesses, clubs, and groups in Galway which have been affected by Storm Debi.
Storm Debi caused flooding in multiple parts of Galway on Monday morning, with areas such as Clarinbridge, Kinvara, and Salthill particularly badly hit.
The Emergency Business Flooding Schemes are meant to cover small businesses, sports clubs, community, and voluntary organisations which are unable to secure flood insurance.
The decision to extend the schemes to County Galway was announced by Minister Simon Coveney following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
“I am extending the emergency Business Flooding Schemes to the businesses affected by Storm Debi in County Galway,” Minister Coveney said.
“An Enhanced Emergency Business Flooding Scheme was launched in October to businesses affected by recent flooding in Counties Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Kilkenny, Wexford and Louth.
This enhanced scheme was in addition to the existing Emergency Business Flooding Scheme, the Minister added.
“These schemes were established to provide urgent assistance to businesses that were unable, through no fault of their own, to get insurance to help with the costs of repairing the damage caused by flooding.”
“As with similar weather events in the past, the Irish Red Cross will administer and make payments under the schemes on my department’s behalf.”
Galway East TD Ciarán Cannon had petitioned the government for the extension of the schemes to Galway in the aftermath of Storm Debi
The schemes provide funding to restore flood damage including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant.
The standard scheme provides up to €20,000 in funding, with an assessment by the Red Cross require for amounts over €5,000.
The Enhanced scheme can provide a quick payment of up to €10,000, with an assessment post-payment, and the possibility of a further payment, with the total amount capped at €100,000.
Applications forms for support are available on the Irish Red Cross Society website redcross.ie, and the closing date for applications is December 15.
