The program is now available to small enterprises with up to 20 employees, sports teams, and community and volunteer organisations that were unable to obtain flood insurance because of the town's frequent flooding.

This information was released by the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment. The Irish Red Cross is in charge of running the program.

It will work in two phases. Depending on the extent of the damage, the first phase will pay up to €5,000. "It is anticipated that this will meet the needs of the majority of those affected," a department official stated.



The Irish Red Cross must conduct an assessment as part of the second step for any business that suffered more serious harm.

There is a ceiling of €20,000 on the total amount of assistance available for both stages combined.

Twenty properties in Bantry were affected by floods on Saturday, according to Cork County Council. Numerous businesses in the town were inundated on Main Street and New Street, which were severely damaged.

In a 12-hour period, up to 65mm of rain fell in the area. Four floods occurred in Bantry in the 18 months between 2018 and 2020, making it a high-risk location.

A flood mitigation plan is presently being planned. Kieran O'Donnell, the visiting minister of state, stated on Sunday that he understood the "anger and frustration" that people were feeling.

The state minister in charge of the Office of Public Works promised to prioritise the town's culvert scheme upgrading, implement property protection measures on an individual basis, and provide financial support.