SVP to fund flood damage shortfall

St Vincent de Paul is preparing to set up a special fund in Cork to cover any shortfall between the cost of repairing flood-damaged homes and payouts from insurance companies.

Brendan Dempsey, regional president of the charity, said the Cork branch would be sourcing more money to help people to bridge the gap if they find that insurance companies won’t pay the full amount needed to repair damaged homes.

It’s estimated that more than 250 houses were damaged in the county during the unprecedented flooding of Jun 28 last.

Hardest hit were Clonakilty, Ballinascarthy, Douglas, Ballyvolane, Blackpool and Glanmire.

Mr Dempsey said the charity had already provided support of €9,000 to families suffering hardship as a result of flooding.

In several cases, he said, householders were still waiting for insurance companies to confirm liability and to assist with renting alternative accommodation.

“We have had inquiries from all over Cork. We have been giving people bridging loans to get them out of difficulties. We welcome more of these inquiries because we’re ready and willing to help,” Mr Dempsey said.

He said what had been paid out by the charity to date was likely to be very small in comparison with what could be paid out to distressed families in the coming months to help cope with any likely shortfalls in insurance payouts.