This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8233917.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
£1,000 payment for flood victims £1,000 payment for flood victims
(10 minutes later)
People whose homes were severely damaged by recent flooding have been urged to contact their local council to apply for an emergency payment.People whose homes were severely damaged by recent flooding have been urged to contact their local council to apply for an emergency payment.
Environment Minister Edwin Poots made the call on Wednesday as he visited one of the areas affected by the flooding in Castlereagh.Environment Minister Edwin Poots made the call on Wednesday as he visited one of the areas affected by the flooding in Castlereagh.
Affected householders should contact their council to arrange an urgent inspection of their property.Affected householders should contact their council to arrange an urgent inspection of their property.
Eligible claimants should receive their payment within a matter of days.Eligible claimants should receive their payment within a matter of days.
Practical helpPractical help
Mr Poots said: "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.Mr Poots said: "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.
"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.""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 minister added that the money, which is to be made available to district councils under the Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme, is not a compensation payment.The minister added that the money, which is to be made available to district councils under the Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme, is not a compensation payment.
On Monday, heavy rain caused localised flooding in parts of east Belfast and County Down and some householders whose homes were damaged criticised the response of the authorities.On Monday, heavy rain caused localised flooding in parts of east Belfast and County Down and some householders whose homes were damaged criticised the response of the authorities.
The week before, a number of houses in Newtownstewart were flooded when heavy rain caused a small river to burst its banks.The week before, a number of houses in Newtownstewart were flooded when heavy rain caused a small river to burst its banks.
The £1,000 emergency payments were first introduced by the Northern Ireland Executive in June 2007, following severe flash flooding in east Belfast.