Businesses and community groups in Louth should apply for flood damage payments without delay – McGahon

Fine Gael Senator John McGahon has urged businesses, community groups and other organisations affected by flooding in Louth to apply for payments through Government supported schemes.

Senator McGahon said: “I welcome the extension today of the Emergency Business Flooding Schemes to small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations, affected by storms this week in Louth.

“Minister Coveney’s Department oversees the Emergency Business Flooding Schemes, and the Irish Red Cross Society administers and make payments under the Scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This scheme has been expanded to any area effected by flooding in the period 24th October 2023 to 5th November 2023.

“The scheme 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. If the premises have incurred significant damages above €5,000, businesses can apply for additional financial support, following an assessment by the Irish Red Cross.

“Due to the exceptional severity of the flooding in some areas, there is also an Enhanced Emergency Business Flooding Scheme, that provides higher levels of financial support for businesses that have been severely affected in certain locations.

“Under this scheme, an initial application will lead to a payment capped at an upper limit of €10,000, and after a more detailed assessment of loss incurred there will be scope for a further payment with the total payment available capped at €100,000.

“Flooding events this week had a devastating effect for the community in North Louth and parts of Dundalk and I would like to praise the efforts of the emergency services and council staff in keeping people safe and minimising the worst effects of the flood water.

“There has been unprecedented damage to homes, businesses, and roads across Louth because of the recent severe weather conditions. We’re making this funding available to give urgent assistance to those that were unable, despite their best efforts, to get insurance, to help with the costs of repairing the damage.

“The expansion of these schemes will be a huge reassurance for those impacted. I would encourage all those eligible to apply to for this scheme as soon as possible.

“When events like this occur, we need to help in any and every way we can. By expanding these schemes to include Louth, Minister Coveney and Fine Gael are showing that it will do everything it can to help local communities across the county”, concluded Senator McGahon.