Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am well aware of the difficult situation in Galway city, Oranmore and Clarinbridge. My colleagues, the Ministers of State, Deputies O'Donovan and Naughton, were there today. We all want to help as a Government, as does Deputy Ó Cuív. At its meeting earlier, the Cabinet approved, on the recommendation of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the extension of the enhanced emergency business flooding scheme to businesses in County Galway affected by Storm Debi. As the Deputy may be aware, an initial application to the scheme can lead to a quick payment capped at an increased upper limit of €10,000. The scheme can now pay out up to €100,000 once an assessment has been carried out. This is the enhanced scheme we introduced in the aftermath of the Midleton flood, I think. We have extended it today on the recommendation of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to cover damaged caused by Storm Debi.

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