Government promises flood victims €15m in humanitarian help

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.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed two separate multimillion-euro funds will be opened up to those ravaged by the weather since the weekend, amid Office of Public Works warnings the River Shannon catchment area is likely to experience its worst floods in 20 years over the coming days.

In an unprecedented move and despite some internal resistance, the Cabinet yesterday approved a fund of €5m for businesses affected by flooding which were unable to get flood insurance cover.

Businesses that have been unable to get flood insurance will get €10,000 to €20,000 from the State fund, which is to be administered by the Irish Red Cross.

This is in conjunction with a Department of Social Protection Humanitarian fund of €10m available to domestic homes which are affected, with Bandon, Co Cork, and Crossmolina, Co Mayo, to be given special priority in the coming days.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will lead a cross-government group to draw up guidelines as to how the fund can be drawn down before the weekend.

Mr Coveney, Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin, and Junior Minister Simon Harris are said to have “pressed hard” at Cabinet for the new fund’s establishment, but not before concern had been raised by officials in Mr Howlin’s department.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Coveney said: “We have made a decision that has never been made before which is to support businesses that have been hit hard by floods and that don’t have insurance.”

Under the new fund, businesses who apply will have to show they have been unable to get flood insurance, are living in a flood- threatened town as identified by the OPW and they have been unable to get assistance from the Department of Social Protection.

Mr Coveney said it is his hope that money will be released to those who need it in time for Christmas, saying the purpose of using the Red Cross was to “get the money out quickly”.

Mr Coveney warned however, that other towns are likely to experience similar flooding in the coming days.

“We haven’t seen the end of flooding this week I suspect so there may be other towns that get hit so we have to ensure there is a fund there for those purposes,” he said.

The Social Protection fund will be “generously means tested” and will cover three categories: immediate food and clothing needs, white goods, and structural repairs to homes.

Mr Harris last night said he hoped the Government’s action in establishing the fund will make difference to those affected.

A rainfall warning is in place for Connacht, Donegal, Clare, and Kerry, as 20mm to 35mm of additional rain is expected today. The National Co-ordination Group, which met again yesterday, warned that areas from Athlone to Limerick may face flooding as peak water levels will not be seen until the weekend.

And speaking in the Dáil, Taoiseach Enda Kenny also warned there may well be further instances of flooding before the end of the week as one fifth of the country’s water flows out from the River Shannon. Some water treatment stations have been closed or impacted by floods while the ESB has been forced to release more water from its dams and weirs.

Sean Hogan, chair National Co-ordination Group, said: “The biggest catchment area is the Shannon. So obviously people in that area, who are in vulnerable areas along the Shannon, are still at risk of flooding, that’s the message.”

Met Éireann forecaster Evelyn Cusack said she expects 20mm of rain to have fallen between last night and today.