Updated: 22.25
Defence Forces personnel are to be deployed in Donegal following severe flooding.
The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, confirmed 30 personnel will be on the ground on Friday morning.
They will assist Donegal County Council and those affected by the flooding.
30 @defenceforces personnel on the ground tomorrow morning to assist Donegal Co Co and those affected by devasting floods @McHughJoeTD
— Paul Kehoe T.D (@campaign4kehoe) August 24, 2017
Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh says: "An initial platoon – 30 Defence Forces personnel – will be deployed in Inishowen.
"It became increasingly clear on Wednesday that as Donegal County Council tried to estimate the damage done that the picture was getting progressively worse and earlier today – having seen the devastation first hand - I asked for help from the Defence Forces and contacted Minister Kehoe.
"Many assessments of damage still need to be done. However it was also clear more help is needed on the ground."
It comes as a new batch of weather warnings have been issued for rainfall around the country.
A status yellow alert is in place for Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.
Met Éireann says a spell of heavy rain will affect Mayo, west Galway, Sligo, and Leitrim, through Thursday night and Friday.
Rainfall totals of 25mm are expected generally, but there is potential for 35mm on higher ground.
A separate rainfall warning has also been issued for Donegal.
The yellow alert says further spells of heavy rain are expected to affect the north-west of the country into Friday.
There is potential for 25 to 40mm of rain in 24 hours in Donegal, with greatest totals on higher ground.
The Government has announced a Humanitarian Assistance Scheme in the wake of the flooding in Donegal.
The means-tested scheme will apply to people "whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair."
In a statement, the Department of Social Protection said the scheme is "demand led" - adding that no limit has been set on the amount that can be paid to an individual household.
Around 200 homes were affected and roads and bridges washed away when 80mm of rain fell in just a few hours on Tuesday night.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he is "shocked" by the extent of damage in the last number of days.
"On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government, I want to extend my sympathies to everyone affected".
In a video message, Mr Varadkar says an inter-agency meeting will be held on Friday in response to the flooding.
