MP seeks assurance over flexibility with floods support deal

MP seeks assurance over flexibility with floods support deal

21 February 2024

THE Stormont Executive has been urged to ensure that the next tranche of funding for business owners still reeling from last November’s devastating town centre flood in Downpatrick must be flexible to help meet their needs.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard has sought assurances from economy minister Conor Murphy that the £10m earmarked for flooding support for local businesses meets the needs of the many, and not a few. 

He said that over the next few days details it will be confirmed how the Executive will allocate the remaining fund money to flood recovery for businesses in Downpatrick and Newry. 

Mr Hazzard said he has emphasised to Executive colleagues, including Mr Murphy, that this funding must be released quickly, and the application process should be streamlined to ensure it is as accessible as possible. 

“I have also stressed the need for the eligibility criteria to be much more flexible than the initial £7,500 support grant which was a welcome injection of cash for some, but left others excluded,” the MP continued.

“With £10m available to help meet the needs of our local businesses, it is vital those local traders who were excluded from the initial grant are not left behind. A hardship payment which recognises their specific circumstances is crucial in helping all businesses recover.”

In addition, Mr Hazzard has also asked Mr Murphy to consider a support payment for those businesses that were not directly flooded, but were nonetheless heavily impacted by it.

“Many of our town centre traders have spoken to me in recent weeks about how business has been significantly affected by the flooding of nearby properties and the need for a bespoke payment for those in their situation,” he said.

“In looking forward to Minister Murphy’s forthcoming announcement of enhanced funding, I have also invited him to visit Downpatrick to listen and engage constructively with local traders as to how we can invest and support the town’s wider economic ecosystem into the future.”