Government contemplating EU funds to pay for storm damages

The government is exploring the possibility of using the European Solidarity Fund to pay for damages caused by this evening’s storm.

The Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Aaron Farrugia has confirmed talks with the Prime Minister and the European Commission to this effect are currently ongoing. 

Labour MEP Miriam Dalli said on Facebook that she held informal talks with Farrugia to "better utilise the European Solidarity Fund that can help in cases when the damages amount to a considerable degree."

Farrugia said on his Facebook page that he is in continuous contact with the Prime Minister for the possibility of utilising the fund and thanked both Dalli and the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries Clint Camilleri. 

The European Social Fund has provided assistance to member states in cases of natural disasters as a result of earthquakes, fires, drought, storms and floods. Natural disasters are regarded as ‘major’ if it causes damages whose estimated costs are more than 0.6% of the gross national income of the beneficiary state.

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