Minister hoping to use Red Cross in expected €5m flood relief scheme

The Cabinet is expected to sign off on a €5m package for flood relief this morning.

However the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Simon Harris, has warned that the cost of the flooding could rise in the coming days and weeks.

Financial assistance for businesses is being considered, however current flood relief legislation does not apply to companies.

Minister Harris says the Red Cross may be brought in to help to get around this.

He said: "Well it would certainly be my preference that an organisation like the Red Cross would be used. The Red Cross have an exemplary record when it comes to humanitarian situattions.

"I also believe it is quite complex for the Government to subvent business.

"So perhaps if the Red Cross were to put in a humanitarian scheme into which Government could look at making a contribution, that may well be the mechanism."

Social Welfare Officials are going door to door in areas worst affected by the weekend's flooding to explain how households can claim aid relief.