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For Oral Answer on : 08/02/2024
Question Number(s): 7 Question Reference(s): 5576/24
Department: Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment to outline the number of applications received, approved and rejected under the emergency business flood relief scheme administered by the Red Cross on behalf of his Department; the total spend to date on the scheme; the flexibility with regard to the administration of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Schemes closed to applications on 15th December 2023. Under the emergency business flooding schemes the Government made provision to provide up to €100,000 for small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies directly affected by the weather events in Counties Cork, Galway, Waterford, Limerick, Louth, Wexford, and Kilkenny.
There were 349 applications received in total by the Red Cross. Approximately 62% of all applications are approved and paid out, 22% of applications are awaiting verification from local authorities and approximately 16% of applications were rejected or withdrawn by the applicants from the scheme. As of the 2nd of February, €5.2 million has been paid out to help businesses get back up and running.
A key eligibility criteria of the scheme is that businesses were unable, through no fault of their own, to get flood insurance. The scheme is intended as an emergency humanitarian assistance contribution only and not as compensation for loss or a replacement for the cover provided by insurance.
In addition, financial assistance by way of low-cost loans was immediately made available from Microfinance Ireland to businesses with up to 9 employees that could not secure loan financing from other lenders. Loan options include cashflow loans of up to €25,000, which can be used for general business purposes including restocking and other business costs. Loans for capital expenditure were also available, which could fund the refurbishment of premises, or the replacement of equipment damaged by the floods.
