A special helpline and website have been set up to help victims of the recent floods to claim humanitarian aid.
The Irish Red Cross is administering the flood relief scheme and can be contacted on lo-call number 1850-507070. The website address is www.redcross.ie/ irishfloods/
The website gives details of the flood relief scheme and provides an application form. A link to the application form is also available on the Irish Red Cross homepage, www.redcross.ie
Details of the scheme will be published in advertisements in national newspapers this weekend and in local media next week.
Applicants for humanitarian aid will need to prove hardship under one or more of the following headings: death, serious injury, damage to home or extreme hardship.
Insurance details must be included on the form, and photographic evidence, paid invoices or estimates can be used to support the claim.
The closing date for applications is November 24th. The funds will not be paid out until the Irish Red Cross has completed its interim assessment and given its report to the Government.
The money available is expected to be in line with previous relief schemes in which the average payout was €10,000.
An estimated 500 householders in Cork and towns including Clonmel, Arklow, Enniscorthy and Wexford are expected to seek aid.
The Irish Red Cross distributed €13.5 million in the last aid package for flood victims in 2002.
