The Cabinet has approved a plan to create a permanent flood relief scheme for small businesses and community organisations.

It will see automatic payments of up to €5,000 for uninsured premises damaged by flood waters.

Previously, flood relief schemes after events like Storm Desmond and Storm Eleanor operated on an ad-hoc basis.

The Defence Minister Paul Kehoe and the Business Minister Heather Humphreys have now put forward plans for a permanent system.

The scheme will allow businesses and organisations who suffered flood damage but who have been refused flood insurance to qualify for a "quick" payment of up to €5,000.

More serious cases would be assessed for further payment of up to €15,000.

The scheme's designed to give assurance to small businesses in flood prone areas, as well as voluntary, community and sporting bodies.

File photo. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Welcoming the Cabinet approval today, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran - the junior minister with responsibility for the OPW and flood relief - said: “One of the big issues faced by businesses and community groups in the past has been the lengthy of time it takes to receive funding from support schemes in the aftermath of a major flooding event.
 
“I am hoping that this new scheme, now on a permanent footing, will significantly reduce waiting times. The new scheme will also give clarity and assurances to businesses who cannot obtain insurance to protect themselves against flooding.

He added that the Irish Red Cross will continue to administer applications for flood assistance.

The Government has previously pledged €940m over the next decade to fund the delivery of flood relief capital works.