Relief fund not fit for purpose, says charity

The Government’s plan to provide humanitarian assistance to those whose homes have been damaged by the severe winter storms is repeating the mistakes of the past and is not fit for purpose, according to the Cork regional vice-president of St Vincent de Paul.

The Government has spent just €2.3m of a €10m humanitarian assistance fund set up in 2009 to provide emergency help to victims of flood damage.

Brendan Dempsey of St Vincent de Paul believes the €7.7m remaining should be put in a fund so that those who need it can access it.