merrion street

Defence Minister Simon Coveney has announced the details of a €5 million package to support small businesses affected by flooding arising from the impact of Storm Desmond.

The scheme will provide emergency humanitarian support to to small businesses that have been unable to secure flood insurance. 

Criteria for qualification for Payment under the scheme:

• Only those small businesses that could not secure flood insurance are eligible.
• For the purpose of this scheme a small business will be defined as one with up to 20 employees.
• (The business must have been flooded during the period 4th December 2015 and 17th December 2015 and this fact verified by the relevant Local Authority.
• Any location within the State that was flooded during the period in question is encompassed by the scheme.
• At the time of the flood - the business must have been trading and in a rateable premises.

The Minister said 

I hope this scheme will go some way towards alleviating the hardship suffered by small businesses adversely affected by flooding throughout the country. I have found the determination of businesses to get back on their feet inspirational. I hope that by introducing this scheme quickly it can provide much needed support to businesses affected.

Read the press release here for more information.