David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

204. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports, if any, made available by his Department to businesses that were not actively trading at the time of the recent flooding caused by Storm Babet, but whose assets are now beyond repair and unsellable as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50557/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has recently opened two Emergency Business Flooding Schemes for small businesses, sports clubs, community, and voluntary organisations unable to secure flood insurance and affected by recent flooding caused by Storm Babet during the period 17th to 23rd of October 2023, including Middleton and East Cork. These schemes were extended to cover Louth, Wexford, Galway and any other areas affected by flooding during the period 17th October 2023 to the 13th of November 2023.

A condition of the schemes is that, at the time of the flood, the business must have been trading in a rateable premise and provide the business rate number and a Tax Clearance Access Number.

These schemes are set up to provide urgent assistance to businesses that were unable, through no fault of their own, to get insurance to help with the costs of repairing the damage caused by flooding.

Given the unprecedented level of damage caused by recent events, the Government agreed a second enhanced version of the scheme that should be of assistance to businesses that suffered exceptional damage.

As with similar weather events in the past, the Irish Red Cross will administer and make payments under the schemes on behalf of the Department. Details of how to apply and application forms are available on the Irish Red Cross Society website: redcross.ie.

In addition to the flooding schemes, financial assistance by way of low-cost loans is immediately available from Microfinance Ireland to small businesses that cannot get loan financing from other lenders. Loan options include cashflow loans of up to €25,000, which can be used for general business purposes including re stocking and other business costs. Loans for capital expenditure are also available which could fund the refurbishment of premises or the replacement of equipment. Further information is available at: microfinanceireland.ie.