Support arriving for Waterford businesses impacted by devastating Tycor fire
Cllr Seamus Ryan requested an update on the issue at the July plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council
Support is arriving for the Waterford businesses impacted by the devastating fire at the Tycor Business Centre, a council meeting has heard.
Labour Party councillor Seamus Ryan requested an update on the issue at the July plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.
Cllr Ryan said: “I just want to raise the matter of the Tycor Business Centre and the fire that occurred there.
“In the minutes [of the previous council meeting], it refers to loss adjusters visiting the site so can I ask, has that happened?
“Has a report been issued and can we have an update on the fire and the aftermath of the fire and how businesses are being dealt with over there?”
In response, Director of Services Michael Quinn outlined the current situation with regards the support scheme for impacted businesses.
“In relation to the loss adjusters, the loss adjusters haven’t visited the site yet but what they will do is they will actually visit each of the applicants for funding to assess what their actual loss and what supporting documentation will be available.
“So I hope they will start that process towards the end of next week. We’re also in discussions with the Department just to finalise the scope of the scheme so we’re hoping to have that signed off in the next day or so.
“There are just very minor issues around where somebody already has insurance, that’s just what we’re trying to tease out.”
He told the meeting that a number of businesses have now received funding.
“In terms of applications for funding, we’ve had two cash boosts of funding, there’s an initial €5000.
“We’ve had 29 applications between business and community groups and of those, 26 have been approved, three have been refused and 23 have been paid out or are about to be paid out.”
The fire, which broke out at the building on May 9, came as a devastating blow to a wide range of businesses and community groups.
Although no one was injured, extensive damage was done to the building’s roof and inside.
In the days that followed, the Government announced a €750,000 support package for the organisations affected by the fire.
Waterford City and County Council has been tasked with assisting in the distribution of these funds.