Storm Éowyn bill for county council could be €400,000

Storm Éowyn, which caused much destruction across Westmeath and the rest of Ireland in January of this year, has left Westmeath County Council with a repair bill of at least €300,000 to €400,000, the council’s director of finance, Michael Hand, revealed at the council’s April meeting.

A query on the cost was raised by Cllr David Jones, who asked what the cost of the damage amounted to, and if the government had been compensated by government for that cost.

He was concerned, he said, that without the government assistance, the effect of the unexpected costs resulting from the storm would eat into the council’s budget.

Mr Hand responded that the council hasn’t yet lodged its claim for storm damage compensation with the Department of Local Government, but it looks likely that the cost of the claim for the two districts and the council’s housing section could among to more that €300,000-€400,000.

“I don’t believe that the municipal districts will suffer as a result of the additional expenses: we’re pretty confident that we’ll receive it. Definitely, we’ll all be funded,” he said.