Flooding emergency payments scheme details announced

Environment Minister Edwin Poots has urged householders hit by the recent floods to contact their local councils to help them access the Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme to District Councils.

The Minister was speaking today as he visited one of the areas affected by the flooding in Castlereagh.

Mr Poots said that funds will be made available to local councils to help those most affected by the recent floods and explained: “Individual householders will be eligible for a £1,000 payment as an offer of practical assistance to those who have suffered severe inconvenience, to ensure homes are made habitable as quickly as possible. It is not a compensation payment.

“In addition, your council can also offer a range of practical help and guidance, including collection, retention and disposal of damaged household content, assistance in making arrangements to clean up homes and gardens, and by providing de-humidifiers to dry out homes.”

The funding was approved by Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, in the wake of the recent flooding incidents across Northern Ireland.

Minister Wilson said: “I and my colleagues in the Executive want to help those most severely affected to get back on their feet again and to assist them in ensuring their homes are habitable. That is why I am giving approval for this £1,000 payment to provide tangible support to those householders directly affected by recent floods.

“As a locally elected administration, it is only right that we move in any way we can to provide help to local people when they need it most.

“Working with and through councils, the aim of this scheme is to ensure that practical and financial help is delivered to those most severely affected as quickly as possible.”

If you feel that you may be entitled to the payment, contact your local council as soon as possible so that an urgent inspection may be arranged. If the council decides that your claim is eligible, you will receive your payment within a matter of days.

Notes to editors:

1. The Department of the Environment will reimburse councils for the £1,000 payments to individual householders and for the direct and indirect costs of providing practical assistance and advice.
2. All media inquiries should be directed to the Department of the Environment Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.