Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
293. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Defence if compensation will be made available to a flooded business employing more than 20 people which has insurance cover but with an excess of €50,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45874/15]
View answerThe Government has allocated a sum of €5 million to be distributed as emergency humanitarian support to small businesses that have been unable to secure flood insurance and have been flooded arising from the impact of Storm Desmond. The Irish Red Cross Society have agreed to administer the scheme on behalf of the Government.
The scheme is aimed at providing a contribution to the costs of returning small business premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock. It is intended as an emergency humanitarian assistance contribution rather than compensation for loss or a replacement for the cover provided by insurance.
The criteria for qualification under payment of the scheme are:
i. Only those small businesses that could not secure flood insurance are eligible.
ii. For the purpose of this scheme a small business is defined as one with up to 20 employees.
iii. The business must have been flooded during the period 4 December 2015 and 17 December 2015 and this fact verified by the relevant Local Authority.
iv. Any location within the State that was flooded during the period in question is encompassed by the scheme.
v. At the time of the flood - the business must have been trading and in a rateable premises.
