Call For Emergency Financial Assistance To Be Extended For Flood Victims

The SDLP is calling for "urgent action" to extend Emergency Financial Assistance for victims affected by the recent flooding.

Damage was caused to a number of homes and businesses in L'Derry and the north west on Tuesday night, 22 August, following torrential rain.

North-West SDLP MLAs Colum Eastwood, Mark H Durkan and Daniel Mc Crossan have written to Party Leaders calling for urgent action.

Mr Durkan said: "While we welcome confirmation from DfC that the Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme for flood victims is open and did not require ministerial sign-off, it is our belief that this scheme is not wide enough.

"We believe that this support should be extended to include non-domestic properties like businesses, community and sporting organisations. While small businesses remain shut, there are wider economic impacts.

"In the previous Executive I made a similar proposal as Environment Minister to extend the scheme accordingly to protect businesses and other organisations. While this proposal was supported in part, it was only put in place on a temporary, time-bound basis and no longer applies.

"In the absence of an Executive, SDLP MLAs from the Derry and Strabane area have written to the Party Leaders seeking political consensus to allow local businesses and organisations to avail of this much-needed assistance. It is imperative that we ensure that there are sufficient funds in place to meet all need."

Alliance West Tyrone spokesperson Stephen Donnelly said: "Flooding has caused significant damage to households in villages such as Plumbridge, while communities like Beragh and Carrickmore have borne the brunt of damage in terms of their local GAA facilities. These are scenes that have been replicated similarly across Fermanagh and Derry.

"I would urge anyone who has been significantly impacted by the storm to avail of the support mechanisms available to them. People can apply for the emergency fund through their local Council if their household has been damaged, and I would encourage anyone in need of immediate practical help to apply for this funding if they are eligible."

(CD/LM)