Fine Gael Cork and Waterford politicians ensure funding for flood relief opens immediately

Fine Gael’s Cork and Waterford TDs and Senators have tonight ensured Government funding for flood relief for communities across the Southern regions is opened immediately.

Deputies Colm Burke, David Stanton, Michael Creed and Senators Tim Lombard and John Cummins said it was of vital importance that all Cork and Waterford communities and other neighbouring counties effected by Storm Babet receive support as soon as possible as devastating flooding arrived in the country’s largest county with Storm Babet.

The Cork and Waterford Fine Gael politicians said:

“Fine Gael want to ensure we have stronger, safer communities for all our constituencies. What some areas suffered today is unprecedented. Rivers rose and swelled to surpass previous records. Homes, businesses, property and roads were badly damaged as flood waters destroyed numerous areas.

“People, families and businesses have been left reeling and need immediate assistance to get back on their feet. This needs to happen in a quick and timely manner.

“We spoke with our colleagues, Ministers Simon Coveney, from Cork South Central and Minister Heather Humphreys to ensure that assistance can be offered as soon as possible.

“The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Department of Social Protection have schemes which we believe need to be activated as soon as possible and our Ministerial colleagues immediately concurred with this and are offering as much assistance as possible.”

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys confirmed the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide support to those living in Cork and Waterford properties directly affected by flooding following Storm Babet.

The €10m Humanitarian Assistance Scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.

Minister Coveney’s Department oversees the Emergency Humanitarian Support Scheme to small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations. The Irish Red Cross Society administers and make payments under the Scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Application forms for support and more information will be available in due course, on the Irish Red Cross Society website: www.redcross.ie