Emergency support scheme opens for Cork and Wexford small businesses

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D. today opened the Emergency Humanitarian Support Scheme.

The scheme is for small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by recent flooding in Cork city and its environs, and Co. Wexford.

The humanitarian support payment is intended to go towards the costs of returning small businesses to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant.

The scheme will not provide a contribution to loss of earnings or loss of business goodwill.

Two stages

This financial support is targeted at small businesses (up to 20 employees), sports clubs and community and voluntary organisations and will have two stages.

The first stage will commence immediately and will provide a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damage incurred. It is anticipated that this will meet the needs for the majority of those affected. The intention is to process payments as fast as possible.

In the event, that the premises have incurred significant damages above €5,000, businesses can apply for additional financial support, following an assessment by the Irish Red Cross. The total level of support available for both stages combined is capped at €20,000.

“This Scheme will provide urgent assistance to businesses in Cork City and Co. Wexford that were unable, through no fault of their own, to get insurance to help with the costs of repairing the damage from the recent flooding,” The Tánaiste said.

“We are working hard to help businesses get back on their feet. As with similar weather events in the past the Irish Red Cross Society will administer and make payments under the Scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.”

Applications forms for support will be available on the Irish Red Cross Society website: www.redcross.ie