Fast access to flooding scheme must be guaranteed for North Louth businesses & householders
- Nash praises Council response but says outdoor staffing levels need urgent review
Louth Labour TD Ged Nash has said that the government must organise fast access to the Emergency and the Enhanced Business Flooding Schemes as North Louth businesses and households count the cost of last night’s flooding event.
Deputy Nash said:
“Long-standing businesses who could not access insurance and through no fault of their own have been left devastated. The scenes across parts of North Louth are heart breaking and I have been in contact with the Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney to ensure ease of access to affected business to the two financial aid funds established last week.
“The reality is that such funds can no longer be piecemeal in nature, designed as they are to respond to what were once in a generation events. The reality of climate change demands that schemes of this kind need to be placed on a more permanent and secure footing.
“Over the last twenty-four hours, parts of the M1 and the Dublin-Belfast railway line were flooded. For the first time on record, the River Flurry burst its banks.
“Council outdoor staff have performed heroically and as the consequences of climate becomes more stark by the day, we must ensure local government can respond by having enough resources – including staff – to assist and protect communities.
“It is at times like this that we see the true value of our local authority staff. These services must be valued, enhanced and embraced by local government managers and staffing levels across Councils must be reviewed.
“In addition, it is vital that there is a renewed momentum in the development and urgent introduction of crucial flood relief measures with an urgency injected into the process that has been sadly lacking.”