Cabinet approves emergency flood aid after Storm Bert

The Cabinet has approved an Emergency Humanitarian Aid Scheme for small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies damaged by flooding during Storm Bert.

A small business is defined as one with up to 20 employees.

Grants will be provided where businesses or voluntary bodies could not obtain flood insurance, but subsequently experienced flood damage to their premises.

The Irish Red Cross will administer the scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise.

The scheme will provide a grant towards the costs of returning premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock.

An initial application will provide for a quick payment which will be capped at €5,000.

A small number of applicants who may have incurred significant damages can seek assistance of more than €5,000.

In these cases, a more detailed assessment of loss incurred will be required.

This will provide the scope for a further payment capped at €20,000.