A €50 million loan fund has been set up by Bank of Ireland, as part of a range of measures it has put in place to help those affected by ex-hurricane Ophelia.

It is hoped that this loan fund will facilitate emergency working capital for businesses and homeowners to repair properties damaged during the storm.

The bank is also set to introduce mortgage breaks for up to three months; other payment flexibility measures can be provided for those affected by the weather, the bank added.

Bank of Ireland has stated that it is committed to providing business and agri customers with necessary funding; it has pledged to prioritise loan decisions and approval as quickly as possible for those impacted by the storm.

Mobile financial advisers and insurance assessors are available to visit customers at their homes, farms or business to discuss options available to them, it added.

The bank is committed to providing support to communities across the country, director of distribution channels at Bank of Ireland, Gavin Kelly, said.

He outlined that customers can contact a dedicated support helpline on: 1800-365100. The bank’s social media channels and phone teams have been available since 8:00am this morning.

Local staff are reaching out to customers and communities to help, and a €50 million fund will provide support for business and personal customers. We can also take a flexible approach in relation to payments on other products and are asking customers to talk to us.

“The vast majority of our branches and ATMs are operating as usual today and our teams are available to support communities across Ireland.

“We are asking any customers who need help to call our dedicated helpline on: 1800-365100 or to drop into one of our 250 branches nationwide and to speak to our advisers.

“Alternatively our mobile advisers can come to them to discuss what we can do to help. We can also assist business owners with wifi access and workspace through our Workbench and Startlab facilities. Our priority now is to support customers in any way that we can,” Kelly concluded.