Storm Debi business damage
Noel Grealish asked for greater emergency grant support for Galway businesses badly damaged by Storm Debi. The Taoiseach said the grant had already been increased to €100,000 and he would pass on the case.
Storm Debi hit Ireland on Sunday night and Monday morning, 12 and 13 November, with the storm doing extensive damage to a number of businesses in Galway and, in particular, in Clarinbridge.
Shops and businesses were destroyed when a 4 ft high storm surge swept in in ten minutes and out in 15, destroying everything in its path.
While these businesses have welcomed the emergency fund relief scheme of up to €100,000, unfortunately, it will not cover the costs of refurbishing some of these shops and businesses following the sea damage. A number of these businesses have damage costs in excess of €200,000 to €300,000. One shop has damage of more than €800,000 and no flood insurance.
Will the Taoiseach commit to increasing the Red Cross business emergency fund to cover the damage to these businesses caused by Storm Debi?
Comment on this
On foot of the flooding in Midleton we increased the maximum grant from €20,000 to €100,000. We do not have any plans to raise it further but I will let the Minister, Deputy Coveney, know that the Deputy raised it. If he has the detail and information, we can take a look at it. I do not want to raise expectations I might not be able to meet but I appreciate that, while €20,000 or €100,000 might cover almost all businesses, it does not cover everyone.
Comment on this
It would cover a lot of them, to be fair.