merrion street

Environment Minister Alan Kelly has today announced that he will provide local authorities with an additional €8 million in financial assistance over the coming days to facilitate and support the on-going clean-up works being undertaken at local level in the aftermath of Storm Desmond.  

Minister Kelly said:

It is important that local authorities, who operate on the front line and are forced to mobilise when emergencies like this take place, are supported to undertake these un-programmed works. Without this support, the capacity to undertake further necessary works simply does not exist.

Minister Kelly added:

I want those affected by recent events to know that the Government will continue to support them through the roll out of Humanitarian Assistance Scheme and Exceptional Needs Payments provided by the Department of Social Protection and through the emergency humanitarian support to small businesses scheme that is being overseen by the Department of Defence and will be administered by the Irish Red Cross. I am delighted that my own Department is in a position to provide an additional €8 million to support local authorities and communities carry out the clean-up works in their areas over the coming weeks.

Read the full press release here.