The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar T.D. has today (Tuesday the 20th of October 2020) opened the Emergency Humanitarian Aid Scheme for small business, community, voluntary and sporting bodies in Cork City and County affected by recent flooding.
The Emergency Humanitarian Aid Scheme provides urgent funding of up to €20,000 to small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations that could not secure flood insurance and have premises that have been damaged by recent exceptional weather events.
The Tánaiste said:
This flood damage is devasting 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.
Minister of State for the OPW, Patrick O’Donovan said:
I was in Cork City this 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.
Notes
The Emergency Humanitarian Scheme
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 and will have two stages:
- 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.
- In the event, that the premises have incurred significant damages above €5,000, businesses can apply for additional financial support. The total level of support available for both stages combined is capped at €20,000.
Applications forms for support and further information is available on the Irish Red Cross Society website: redcross.ie
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) 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.
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