No dedicated fund to help storm victims

HOPES for a dedicated assistance fund for victims of Storm Emma and the Beast from the East were dashed yesterday.

Cabinet decided that existing supports were enough for those hit hard, while property owners could avail of insurance.

A standing fund set up after Ophelia last October ‘is only for flooding’, a spokesman for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said.

The Government said any householder affected by flooding over the coming days, and who requires support, should contact the Community Welfare Officer at their local Intreo centre.

The CWOs are ‘available to provide assistance’, while next week will see payment of the double fuel allowance in respect of the big freeze. More than 330,000 people will receive €45, instead of the usual €22.50.

‘Businesses that have incurred significant costs should contact their insurers in the first instance,’ the Taoiseach’s spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture and advisory agency Teagasc are remaining vigilant should any serious difficulties emerge, as is feared, with animal feed. They are standing ready to provide fodder.

The department operates an emergency phone line for animal welfare issues (0761 06440).

Elsewhere, top priority for the Department of Transport is to liaise with local authorities over the extensive damage to national, regional and local roads.

Also, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government says it intends to reimburse local authorities for the ‘exceptional and unbudgeted costs’ incurred in the response to the severe weather.