A €5 million fund for small businesses which suffered property damage in the recent flooding in Ireland has been extended.

The Minister for Defence, Mr Simon Coveney T.D., announced the expansion of the criteria for eligibility for small businesses to make a claim under the temporary emergency humanitarian support scheme which is being administered by the Irish Red Cross.

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He said: "I have visited a number of areas in the country and seen the damage caused to many business premises as a result of the recent floods. This expansion of the scheme is further indication of the Governments continued support to alleviating some of the damage caused to the business community."

In establishing the scheme, the nature of the emergency response required an immediate payment to be made to the applicant to allow the business to recover quickly and continue trading.

(CD/LM)