The worst of the flooding is yet to come to County Limerick

The government is to release €5m in emergency funding to help small businesses affected by the recent flooding.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross has announced that emergency drinking water will be made available at three areas along the River Shannon considered at high risk of further flooding this week.

Water collection points will be set up at Athlone, Portumna and the Montpelier area of County Limerick, where it is understood the worst of the flooding may be yet to come.

Limerick Co. Council says it is monitoring the situation hour by hour, and has warned that flooding along the Shannon could be as bad as in 2009.

Chair of the National Coordination Group, which works with the relevant authorities, says Shannon-side residents should be on the alert.

"It's filling and continuing to rise and may not peak until later in the week, so obviously people in that area who are in vulnerable areas by the Shannon still remain at risk of flooding. The message is to keep in touch."