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EU funding will be available to help counties affected by the recent storms, to effect repair works. Photo: 123RF

It's been confirmed that, in a new departure, the EU will provide funding for storm damage to both private and public infrastructure in Ireland that is otherwise uninsured.

MEP for Ireland South, Sean Kelly revealed the change in the criteria for funding under the EU Solidarity Fund after he met with Regional EU Commissioner, Johannes Hahn in Strasbourg last week. He's a full member of the parliament's Regional Development Committee, which oversees the fund.

He said Commissioner Hahn was very positive and supportive of Ireland making an application for funding and promised his staff would assist the Irish authorities in making their application, to ensure it complies with criteria.

Last week it was announced that Cork is seeking €3.5M in emergency funding for storm damage from the Department of the Environment.

DEADLINE

The South MEP is calling on city and county councils to submit details of the damage suffered and the cost of repairs, to enable the Government to prepare an overall application for funding. They have ten weeks from the end of the storm to get their application in, so it's a race against the clock. Local authorities and the Government were urged by the MEP not to delay.

Describing the damage caused by recent storms as "horrifying and unprecedented in nature", the MEP said it is critical that aid is directed swiftly to affected communities to allow reconstruction of affected infrastructure without delay.

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