merrion street

Mr. Alan Kelly, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has today (15 December, 2015) 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 emphasised that his Department has been working very closely with local authorities in relation to costs arising following the recent flooding with a view to additional funding being made available to them to cover this exceptional expenditure for works carried out.

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.”

He paid tribute to the emergency services for their timely and effective response to Storm Desmond at both national and local level. He also commended local authorities for their on-going work in the areas worst affected by the floods. It should be noted that a number of voluntary organisations, including the Red Cross, Mountain Rescue and many volunteers were also mobilised to provide assistance at the local level as required.

Minister Kelly added:

“We have the height of sympathy for those who have been affected by the recent flooding. At any time of the year, to be affected by flooding is awful but particularly at Christmas time.

I want those affected by recent events to know that the Government supports them and 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.”