Cabinet intends to increase Met Eireann staff to establish new €2.5m flood warning system

Flood waters at the Lee Fields in Cork. Pic; Denis Minihane

By Daniel McConnell, Political Editor

The Cabinet has approved this afternoon the distribution of funds to the Irish Red Cross to give to businesses damaged by the floods.

The money, which will be capped, will be given to businesses in towns identified by the OPW as being at risk of flooding.

Ministers are also expected to consider a review of the flood insurance.

The Cabinet have approved plans to establish a new national flood warning system.

Until now, Ireland has relied on European flood forecasts which can often be out of date when the impact of floods actually hit.

Junior Minister repsonible for flooding Simon Harris attended Cabinet to discuss the Government's repsonse to the floods caused by Storm Desmond.

The Irish Examiner understands that proposals given to Cabinet include allocating 15 members of staff to Met Eireann to establish a new flood warning system at a cost of €2.5m.

Speaking today, Minister for Defence and Agriculture Simon Coveney said aiding businesses affected are the priority for Government as Christmas approached.

Shop owners cleaning up after the flooding in Bandon. Pic; Larry Cummins

“The problem in relation to businesses has always been that the legislation actually dealing with humanitarian flood relief doesn’t actually cater for businesses,” he said.

“So we’re looking at whether we can find a way to provide some financial assistance to small businesses who in the build-up to Christmas, most of them retail outlets, have found themselves looking forward to probably the best Christmas in 10 years.”

Mr Coveney said he understood Department of Social Protection officials were “knocking on doors” telling people how they could avail of financial supports.