Taoiseach Enda Kenny has promised a €5m fund set up to help businesses hit by flooding will be delivered before Christmas.

Homes and businesses affected by the Storm Desmond floods have been promised €15m in humanitarian help from the Government as the most badly hit areas prepare for their worst flooding in two decades over the next 48 hours.

Met Éireann has warned of a major flooding risk both from expected stormy weather from Wednesday onwards and from heavy rainfall which will swell rivers already near capacity.