Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
424. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider, given the frequency of flooding events, putting a form of the emergency business flooding support scheme and the enhanced scheme on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48769/23]
View answerIn 2018 government agreed (Government Decision S180/20/10/1272C of 27 November 2018) that the then Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation would undertake responsibility for the management of a standing Scheme to implement an emergency humanitarian financial grant Scheme for small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies which have been unable to secure flood insurance and which experience flood damage to their premises. However, the Department does not currently have any vires to establish a permanent humanitarian Scheme through its suite of legislation. Pending the development of a legislative basis for a Standing Scheme, it is necessary to seek Government approval for an ad hoc Scheme to provide this emergency humanitarian grant.
Putting the emergency business flooding support scheme on a statutory basis is a priority for my department and officials are currently developing proposals for a legislative basis for the scheme.
