Council invites applicants for flooding hardship scheme

Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 1st November 2023

Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye

Flooding in Newry City Co Down.

The clean up operation has started in Newry, the owners of flooded businesses are facing expensive clean-up operations.

Water levels in the most heavily affected areas have receded overnight.

:The clean up operation has started in Newry. The owners of flooded businesses are facing expensive clean-up operations. Water levels in the most heavily affected areas receded overnight. — Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 1st November 2023 Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye Flooding in Newry City Co Down. The clean up operation has started in Newry, the owners of flooded businesses are facing expensive clean-up operations. Water levels in the most heavily affected areas have receded overnight. :The clean up operation has started in Newry. The owners of flooded businesses are facing expensive clean-up operations. Water levels in the most heavily affected areas receded overnight.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is inviting applications to a Flooding Hardship Scheme, which is part of a package of funding from the Department for Economy (DfE).

The purpose of the Flooding Hardship Scheme is to provide support to businesses and some other non-domestic premises that were impacted by the flooding in October/November 2023 but were not eligible for the previous £7,500 payment or the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme.

Last month at a special meeting of the Council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee, Councillors agreed to proceed with administering the DfE package, which incorporates the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme and the now opened Flooding Hardship Scheme.

The Flooding Hardship Scheme is open for applications and closes on 29 March 2024 at 12 noon. Applications are to be made via an online portal at: SmartSimple | Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. (smartsimpleuk.com).

Applicants will have two options to choose from during the process dependant on the level of eligible costs incurred, or to be incurred. Option 1 will provide a £5,000 hardship payment to eligible SME businesses and other non-domestic occupants of premises that were flooded and suffered financial hardship but were not eligible for the £7,500 scheme or the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme. Option 2 will provide a £2,500 hardship payment to eligible SME businesses and other non-domestic occupants of premises that were not flooded but were unable to access their premises as a direct result of the flooding, and hence unable to trade.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Valerie Harte said, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council welcomes the opening of the Flooding Hardship Scheme with Department for Economy funding. I encourage those who think they be eligible to visit the online portal and make an application for funding ahead of the 29 March deadline.”

Applicants will be required to submit appropriate evidence to support their application. All awards are subject to funding availability and late applications will not be accepted.

An online information session will be held on Thursday 21 March from 12.30-1.30pm. Register via: www.ticketsource.co.uk/newry-mourne-down-district-council/t-yakaqoo

For further support or information, applicants are asked to contact: [email protected]