Calls to set up business-hardship fund BUSINESS

OPPOSITION parties have called on the Government to set up a hardship fund for farmers and businesses who suffered losses during the extreme weather.

Farmers were among the worst hit by the snow storm. Cattle farmers had great difficulty milking cows and others found it almost impossible to transport produce to creameries because road networks were impassable.

Businesses also suffered greatly, with many firms forced to close to make sure staff were able to get to or return home from work safely as the blizzard struck. Zac Keane, director of air conditioning firm Paragon Group, said it closed when the red alert was issued.

Staff were paid and will make up the time over the course of the year, although office staff met deadlines by working from home. “All in all, last week has had an impact to our business to the tune of €35,000,” he said.

“On one site (Maldron Hotel) we had a delivery of some air conditioning equipment by sea on Wednesday night. However, when the driver reached the site it was closed down due to the red alert. This meant that we had no means to crane the equipment off the lorry and onto the site. Every effort was made to find a business that would take this equipment in shelter but nothing was found.”

Fianna Fáil and Labour urged the Government to compensate those who were affected by the snow. Limerick TD Willie O’Dea (inset) said a hardship fund would go some way towards easing concerns. “The Government should come up with some form of compensation for them,” Mr O’Dea said.