merrion street

The Minister for Defence has announced the details of the scheme to provide emergency humanitarian support to small businesses that have been unable to secure flood insurance and have been flooded arising from the impact of Storm Desmond.
The Minister stated “I hope this scheme will go some way towards alleviating the hardship suffered by small businesses adversely affected by flooding throughout the country. I have seen at first hand the effects of this flooding and the costs that businesses must incur in order to get back up and trading.”
The scheme will be administered by the Irish Red Cross and the details will be available on the Red Cross website in the coming days.
The Minister stated “The intent is that the scheme will be operational in the coming days and that initial payments will be processed in advance of Christmas. The Irish Red Cross will administer and make payments under the scheme, which is designed to be as straight forward as possible for businesses.
The scheme is a humanitarian support contribution towards the costs of returning business premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock. The scheme will not provide a contribution to loss of earnings or loss of business good-will.
The scheme is targeted at small businesses (up to 20 employees) 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 small businesses. This will commence immediately and the intent is to process payments as speedily as possible.
2. In the event that businesses have incurred significant damages above €5,000, the second stage will provide a means to seek further support. However, this will be a more lengthy process requiring a detailed assessment.
The total level of support available for both stages combined will be capped at €20,000

NOTE TO EDITORS
criteria for qualification for Payment under the scheme
(i)  Only those small businesses that could not secure flood insurance are eligible.
(ii) For the purpose of this scheme a small business will be defined as one with up to 20 employees.
(iii) The business must have been flooded during the period 4th December 2015 and 17th December 2015 and this fact verified by the relevant Local Authority.
(iv) Any location within the State that was flooded during the period in question is encompassed by the scheme.
(v) At the time of the flood - the business must have been trading and in a rateable premises.

In concluding the Minister said “I have found the determination of businesses to get back on their feet inspirational. I hope that by introducing this scheme quickly it can provide much needed support to businesses affected.’

ENDS