'This is how we live now' - Bantry flood supports welcome but businesses still fearing worst

The latest flood relief supports for small businesses and organisations have been confirmed

Council workers deploying pumps in Bantry earlier this month.  Picture: Andy Gibson.

There was a time when businesses in Ireland had to get cameras simply to protect their premises from theft. The unfortunate reality of doing business in Bantry in 2025 means putting cameras in place to spot rising waters.

Danielle Delaney, chair of the Bantry Business Association met a business owner this week who is fitting a camera outside their premises. "She said she didn't want to get a camera but she needed it to point down at the drain outside, so she can see if the water levels are rising," said Ms Delaney.

The persistent flooding which has devastated the town - seven floods in five years - has seen stock literally going down the drain for businesses. Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment Minister Peter Burke has opened the latest relief funding for small businesses and community, voluntary, and sports organisations in the town. The scheme is aimed at businesses and organisations that are unable to secure flood insurance and were affected by the floods which occurred during the first week of November 2025.

The announcement of state support was welcomed on Friday by the Bantry Business Association but Ms Delaney said there is no quick fix. 

"Yes it's great to have support but we wouldn't need it if we could get more of a move-on with the flood relief scheme. It's awful to say but it's as if the flooding is kind of the standard now. Businesses know what is coming and that they'll have to clean up. It's horrible to have to live this way."

In the Dáil this week, Minister of State at the Dept of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform, and Digitalisation Kevin Moran told the Dáil that the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme to protect 200 vulnerable properties is at the development and preliminary design stage. 

The complete flood relief scheme for the town is not expected to be complete until 2031, with planning for a culvert scheme as an interim measure approved, but itself still 18 months from completion. 

Meanwhile the Irish Red Cross will administer and make payments under the latest scheme on behalf of the Dept of Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment to assist towards the cost of returning premises to pre-flood condition. This can include replacing flooring, fixtures, and fittings, and damaged stock where relevant. This financial support is targeted at small businesses of up to 20 employees (or wholetime equivalents) and will have two stages:

This financial support will provide a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damage incurred, with additional financial supports for damaged premises, capped at €20,000.

On Friday, businesses and local authorities were again taking precautions, with sandbags out and pumps in place. For now, Bantry must simply be prepared. Ms Delaney said in the past week, there have been four flood weather alerts issued on a local business WhatsApp group. "It's like a disaster zone. This is how we live now. People are stressed out, afraid that they will find their livelihood under water again."