John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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201. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will expedite and approve three separate applications for assistance under the flood damage schemes submitted by businesses (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [7312/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government approved the allocation of €5m for an emergency humanitarian support scheme to small businesses and community, sporting and voluntary bodies which through no fault of their own have been unable to secure flood insurance and suffered flood damage during the severe weather in December 2015 to January 2016. The scheme is being administered by the Irish Red Cross.

The Irish Red Cross Society is an independent charitable organisation with full power to manage its own affairs. I as Minister for Defence have no function in the administration of the Irish Red Cross Society and do not get involved in the day to day running of its affairs.

I am advised that the Irish Red Cross is in correspondence with the applicants.