Executive Statement on recent flooding

The Executive has conducted a comprehensive review of last week’s flooding and has concluded that the administration’s response was both rapid and effective.

The sheer intensity of the rainfall had overwhelmed the infrastructure but Ministers are determined to learn any lessons that can be gleaned from the experience.

The Executive has decided that work should be carried out on the provision of a single telephone number for those affected in future by weather related and other emergencies. This number will be supported by a call centre facility.

The Executive has asked for a thorough review of all the emergency planning processes it inherited from Direct Rule Ministers (not just flooding) with a view to strengthening existing procedures and highlighting any areas where improvements can be made.

The Executive has also asked for further work to be carried out on the management of maintenance schedules to ensure that water infrastructure operates as effectively as possible.

The swift response by the Executive and the district councils was a key factor in rapidly delivering help to those affected, including the early release of up to £5million for practical assistance to those facing severe hardship. Ministers were told around £2million has been spent so far both in direct payments to householders and on the general clean-up.

There was a detailed discussion during which tributes were paid to workers across all the agencies and organisations involved. There was particular praise for those local councils that had at very short notice administered the £1,000 emergency payment to householders most severely affected. Around 700 payments have been made.