Small businesses in Donegal affected by flooding are to receive €2m in humanitarian support.

The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, announced the scheme to provide emergency assistance for small businesses, sports clubs and community organisations unable to secure flood insurance.

Similar to previous flooding incidents, the scheme will be administered by the Irish Red Cross with details available on their website.

Minister Kehoe said: "Having visited the affected area and witnessed the devastating impact which the flood waters have had in Donegal I am pleased to have secured funding which will go some way towards alleviating the hardship suffered and assist small businesses, sports clubs and community organisations in getting back up and running."

"The Government has moved to have this scheme operational as quickly as possible and in a manner which is designed to be straight forward to best assist those who have been affected."

The scheme is a humanitarian support contribution towards the costs of returning business premises to their pre-flood condition.

This will include the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant.

However the scheme will not provide a contribution to loss of earnings or loss of business.

It is targeted at small businesses of up to 20 employees, as well as sports clubs and community organisations.

The scheme will have two stages:

• The first stage will commence immediately and will provide a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damage incurred
• In the event that the premises have incurred significant damages above €5,000, the second stage will provide a means to seek further support

The total level of support available for both stages combined will be capped at €20,000.

Meanwhile, Donegal County Council is continuing to provide support and assistance to those affected by the floods last week.

To date, 47 families have registered with the council as being displaced.

This includes 21 families in Burnfoot, 14 in Buncrana and the remainder in Carndonagh, Muff, Clonmany and Malin.

The council say they are working closely with each family on a case by case basis with a view to determining what assistance is required beyond the initial emergency period.

It is likely that some families will not be able to return to their homes for some time, the council adds.

Longer term temporary accommodation is being offered to a number of families, and further accommodation will be made available over the coming weeks.