Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have two different answers. My explanatory note is better than my speaking notes. I will give the Deputy some of the data because I know that is what he wants. When the initial allocation was approved in October last year, it was impossible to estimate the full extent of the damage caused and the number of businesses impacted by the exceptional weather events in the period around 17 October. The scheme was also extended to cover areas impacted by severe flooding up to and including 5 November in counties Waterford, Limerick, Kilkenny, Galway and Louth. Since the closing date, the Red Cross has reviewed all applications and is now advising that the total estimated payments will be around €11 million including management fees. I sought Government approval to increase the overall allocation for the scheme up to €11 million. It was previously €5.3 million, which the Deputy may recall.

As of Friday, 2 February, 349 applications were received by the Red Cross. Just over €5.2 was paid out between 217 successful applicants. The average payment under the enhanced scheme was €60,000. As of 25 January, just under €4.3 million was paid out to 177 applicants based in County Cork. In the context of the current scheme, there are 349 applicants. Some 140 of these are under the standard flooding scheme whereby people get an initial €5,000 and up to €20,000 following assessment. Some 152 applicants are under scheme B, if you like, in which you can get an initial €10,000 payment and up to €100,000 on assessment. Three applications were withdrawn from the scheme and 54 were not eligible. The current scheme, which closed to applicants on 15 December last, covered weather events in counties Cork, Galway, Louth, Wicklow, Waterford and Wexford. The geographical breakdown of each extension of the scheme of the 349 is as follows: 269 applicants from counties Cork, Waterford, Wicklow and Wexford; 31 from County Louth; and 49 from County Galway.

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