Humanitarian Support Scheme announced

Flooding Update – Humanitarian Support Scheme announced

Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Support Scheme

Details of the €2 million Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Support Scheme to assist small businesses and community, voluntary and sporting bodies has been announced by Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe.

This scheme is a humanitarian support contribution towards the costs of returning business, sport and community premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant.  The scheme will not provide a contribution to loss of earnings or loss of business good-will.

The scheme is targeted at small businesses (up to 20 employees) sports clubs and community organisations and will have two stages.  The first stage will commence immediately and will provide a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damage incurred.  It is anticipated that this will meet the needs for the majority of those affected. This will commence immediately and the intent is to process payments as speedily as possible. 

In the event that the premises have incurred significant damages above €5,000, the second stage will provide a means to seek further support.  The total level of support available for both stages combined will be capped at €20,000.  Application forms for this scheme will be available here.

Donations

The Irish Red Cross has agreed to receive donations to help assist those affected by the recent floods and these donations will be administered through the local Red Cross unit in Donegal.  You can make a donation the Irish Red Cross Society, Account Number 10005462, Account NSC 900017 and donations should be referenced to the ‘Donegal Floods Appeal’.  Any donations received will be restricted for use in the Donegal area and all donations will be acknowledged.

Work has continued today with the clean-up efforts in Inishowen with Defence Force personnel helping out at the Illies Celtic grounds and at housing estates in Buncrana and Carndonagh. 

Anyone who requires help with clean-up efforts or who needs to access skips and/or dehumidifiers is being asked to contact Donegal County Council at 074 91 53900.

The Council is also aware that other areas in the county including Raphoe, Rathmullan and Bundoran were affected by recent floods and any household, business, sports clubs or community organisation affected in these areas can also access supports and assistance by contacting the Council directly.

Housing Assistance

The Council’s Housing Service is continuing to provide support and assistance to those affected by the floods.   To date 49 families have registered with Donegal County Council as being displaced and these families are being supported and their needs are being determined on a case by case basis.  19 of these families are being facilitated by their own insurance companies and at this point in time do not require support from the Council and 15 families have either been accommodated with longer term temporary accommodation or are in the process of being accommodated or have been offered accommodation.  The Council is actively working with the remaining 15 families to find an accommodation solution that meets their needs. 

Roads Update

Work on preparing the site at Riverside on the R240 between Quigleys Point and Carndonagh for the installation of the temporary bailey bridge was underway today and it is hoped that this structure will be installed in the coming days.

Work on the R238 at Three Trees between Muff and Quigleys Point is continuing and it is expected that this road will be open to two way traffic in two weeks.

The R244 at Craignahorna on the Mountain Road between Buncrana and Carndonagh and Grainne’s Gap remains closed. It is not feasible to reopen these roads in the short term.  Local diversions remain in place.

A number of rural roads across the peninsula remain closed and local diversions are in place.

The assessment of the 1500km road network is Inishowen is ongoing and well over 300 issues have been identified and work is underway with the Council’s Road Design Team to identify and cost design solutions. 

The damage to the road network has been extensive and all road users are being asked to be extra diligent when out on the roads. 

Anyone who has been affected by this flooding incident and who requires support and assistance including emergency housing, assistance with dealing with the aftermath at their properties or any other humanitarian need, is being asked to contact the Council by calling into our offices or by calling 074 91 53900 during opening hours or 074 91 72288 during out of hours. 

You can also keep up to date by following Donegal County Council on Facebook or on Twitter.