Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has praised emergency services for their hard work, professionalism and dedication to helping flood victims in the wake of Storm Chandra, in particular in the South East. She has called on the European Commission to make the EU Solidarity Fund available to Ireland at this time. She feels the over 1.1billion euro annual fund would help to assist with clean-up efforts following Storm Chandra, which caused severe flooding and damage to property and small businesses across Ireland’s south east region.
The MEP has called on the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to urgently engage with the EU Commission with a view to investigating an application for funding under the EU Solidarity Fund.
The South East has been hit with unprecedented rainfall in parts of Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and surrounding areas, resulting in extensive damage to homes, businesses, local infrastructure and farmland. Communities are now facing a lengthy and costly clean-up operation, with local authorities and emergency services under significant pressure.
Speaking today, Ní Mhurchú said:
“The scale of flooding caused by Storm Chandra has placed an enormous burden on families, businesses and local councils across the south east. The EU Solidarity Fund exists precisely for events like this, and Ireland should be actively examining every available avenue of support and finance.”
The EU Solidarity Fund is an annual EU fund with a budget of over 1.1bn euros. It provides financial assistance to EU member states in the aftermath of major natural disasters, including severe flooding, but it also specifically mentions regional disasters where flooding is an essential part of the damage.
Funding can be given if and where the economic and social impact is significant on a region of the European Union. While applications are made by national governments, MEPs play a key role in advocating for timely engagement with the European Commission.
Several EU countries and candidate countries received considerable supports for flooding related events in September and October of 2024 including an award of €42.8 million for Austria, €114 million for Czechia, €76 million for Poland, €2.1 million for Slovakia, €45.7 million for Bosnia and Herzegovina and €195,200 for Moldova.
Ní Mhurchú added:
“This is what the fund should be for. EU solidarity must be more than a principle — it must deliver practical help to communities when they need it most.”
“As extreme weather becomes more frequent, it is vital that Ireland fully utilises European supports to help affected regions recover and rebuild. The people of the south east deserve nothing less.”
Ní Mhurchú confirmed she will continue to raise the issue at European level and work with Irish authorities to ensure that affected communities receive the support they need.
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