This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr46eg04gd5o

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Cold fears for cystic fibrosis family among 65,000 still without power Compensation call as thousands remain without power
(about 1 hour later)
Terri-Lee Watson's son has Cystic Fibrosis which can be aggravated by cold weatherTerri-Lee Watson's son has Cystic Fibrosis which can be aggravated by cold weather
There are still about 65,000 properties without power following the devastation caused to the electricity network by Storm Éowyn. The first and deputy first ministers have called for Northern Ireland's electricity distribution company to provide compensation to those impacted by Storm Éowyn as 65,000 properties remain without power for a fourth day.
The Northern Ireland secretary said specialist engineers have arrived from England to help with efforts to restore power, but Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has warned it could be 3 February before all properties are reconnected. Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly said Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks should "step up" and provide the support.
With many families going days without power, the first and deputy first ministers have said NIE should consider a "goodwill" compensations payment to those affected. Specialist engineers have arrived from England to help restore power, but NIE has warned it could be 3 February before all properties are reconnected.
One of those is Terri Lee-Watson from Limavady, County Londonderry - she told BBC News NI she is concerned for the health of her six-year-old son, who has cystic fibrosis. One of those affected is Terri Lee-Watson from Limavady, County Londonderry - she told BBC News NI she is concerned for the health of her six-year-old son, who has cystic fibrosis.
'Worst-case scenario' Electricity engineers inspect damage caused by fallen trees near Hillsborough on Monday
Ms Watson said the power cut, which began on Friday, was a "novelty" at the beginning, but now she is concerned the cold temperature will negatively affect her son.Ms Watson said the power cut, which began on Friday, was a "novelty" at the beginning, but now she is concerned the cold temperature will negatively affect her son.
"The coldness can be really detrimental to his health," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme."The coldness can be really detrimental to his health," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.
"A cold could sit on his chest and give him a chest infection.""A cold could sit on his chest and give him a chest infection."
The family spent Friday night in their own home, using blankets to stay warm, but have since moved out to stay with family members. 'Worst-case scenario'
The Watson family spent Friday night in their own home, using blankets to stay warm, but have since moved out to stay with family members.
"We're just so lucky that we have got family up here, because there are so many people who will be stuck at home and have to just make do with what they have," she said."We're just so lucky that we have got family up here, because there are so many people who will be stuck at home and have to just make do with what they have," she said.
"He's got a nebuliser to do every day. If he didn't do that, it could affect his health; he could get mucus build-up in his chest."He's got a nebuliser to do every day. If he didn't do that, it could affect his health; he could get mucus build-up in his chest.
"It wouldn't just be a cold to him. It could be a nasty chest infection that could land him in the hospital."It wouldn't just be a cold to him. It could be a nasty chest infection that could land him in the hospital.
"The one or two days that he has missed his nebuliser hopefully won't have an effect on his health, but if it were to go on for the full week, it definitely would, and we can't take that chance.""The one or two days that he has missed his nebuliser hopefully won't have an effect on his health, but if it were to go on for the full week, it definitely would, and we can't take that chance."
Ms Watson said she's had to do additional physiotherapy on her son to counteract the cold.Ms Watson said she's had to do additional physiotherapy on her son to counteract the cold.
She told BBC News NI that she hopes NIE's estimate of 10 days to restore service is the "worst-case scenario".She told BBC News NI that she hopes NIE's estimate of 10 days to restore service is the "worst-case scenario".
"I'm hoping that there's a good chance that it comes on any day really, or any hour possible," she said."I'm hoping that there's a good chance that it comes on any day really, or any hour possible," she said.
Call for compensationCall for compensation
O'Neill said they "made the case very strongly to NIE that we believe there should be a goodwill payment".
Little-Pengelly added that "these companies make significant profits every year" and it was important that support was provided in people's "time of need".
The ministers were speaking at Stormont after meeting with NIE and a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive which discussed the storm damage response.
The roof was torn off the Chimney Corner Hotel, outside Belfast, in Co Antrim, on FridayThe roof was torn off the Chimney Corner Hotel, outside Belfast, in Co Antrim, on Friday
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the first and deputy first ministers said they had asked NIE to consider a "goodwill" payment form of compensation for customers who remain without electricity. Little-Pengelly said that it was "unacceptable" that some are still without power.
Michelle O'Neill said she had spoken to a woman who relied on takeaways to feed her family of three over the weekend because she had no cooking facilities. She said NIE was due to respond shortly to the compensation proposal.
"This is a difficult time for people – we're into day four [without electricity] for some," she said. The deputy first minister said they had highlighted how Scottish energy companies "have been stepping up" with similar compensation for customers.
"We are pushing to get everybody connected as quickly as possible." O'Neill added: "This is a difficult time for people – we're into day four [without electricity] for some.
Emma Little-Pengelly added that it was "unacceptable" that some are still without power. "We are pushing as hard as we possibly can in terms of getting everybody connected as quickly as possible."
O'Neill also commended the multi-agency response to the storm and said there was "a very constructive conversation" over the weekend with the UK government about seeking additional support.
Speaking on Good Morning Ulster earlier on Monday, Little-Pengelly said about 100 roads are also still closed and she urged people to "exercise caution" when travelling.Speaking on Good Morning Ulster earlier on Monday, Little-Pengelly said about 100 roads are also still closed and she urged people to "exercise caution" when travelling.
About 1,700 people in Northern Ireland are still without water but NI Water has committed to try to secure the connection for those affected by 10:00 GMT on Monday, Little-Pengelly said.About 1,700 people in Northern Ireland are still without water but NI Water has committed to try to secure the connection for those affected by 10:00 GMT on Monday, Little-Pengelly said.
A large tree fell across a carriageway in Ballymena, Co Antrim, during Storm ÉowynA large tree fell across a carriageway in Ballymena, Co Antrim, during Storm Éowyn
The managing director of NIE Networks said power has now been restored to 211,000 properties.The managing director of NIE Networks said power has now been restored to 211,000 properties.
Derek Hynes said: "We believe that it will be around 10 days by the time we complete the repairs needed to get power back to everyone."Derek Hynes said: "We believe that it will be around 10 days by the time we complete the repairs needed to get power back to everyone."
Ronan McKeown, NIE future networks director, said it's been "an extremely challenging situation" with their staff working "flat out".Ronan McKeown, NIE future networks director, said it's been "an extremely challenging situation" with their staff working "flat out".
Storm Herminia on Sunday also "pulled us back a bit in terms of more faults coming in," he said on Good Morning Ulster.Storm Herminia on Sunday also "pulled us back a bit in terms of more faults coming in," he said on Good Morning Ulster.
He said he expects about 40,000 of the 65,000 customers still without power to be "back on by Thursday at 10 o'clock".He said he expects about 40,000 of the 65,000 customers still without power to be "back on by Thursday at 10 o'clock".
"It's hard to be precise but our initial analysis at the minute is showing between 15 - 20,000 beyond Thursday," he said."It's hard to be precise but our initial analysis at the minute is showing between 15 - 20,000 beyond Thursday," he said.
A fallen tree brought down during Storm Éowyn blocks the road in Holywood, near Belfast, on FridayA fallen tree brought down during Storm Éowyn blocks the road in Holywood, near Belfast, on Friday
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, said the UK government will offer "every possible support" to the effort to repair damage.The Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, said the UK government will offer "every possible support" to the effort to repair damage.
"The scale of the damage brought by this storm is deeply concerning, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to all those working hard to restore electricity, clear fallen trees and debris, and keep people safe," he said."The scale of the damage brought by this storm is deeply concerning, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to all those working hard to restore electricity, clear fallen trees and debris, and keep people safe," he said.
Ten schools in Northern Ireland will be closed on Monday due to structural damage caused by Storm Éowyn, the education minister has said.Ten schools in Northern Ireland will be closed on Monday due to structural damage caused by Storm Éowyn, the education minister has said.
Paul Givan met with the Education Authority (EA) on Saturday and announced that some schools may need to move to remote learning.
The EA maintenance helpline has been operational throughout the weekend and received 154 reports of damage to school buildings.The EA maintenance helpline has been operational throughout the weekend and received 154 reports of damage to school buildings.
It ranged in severity from missing roof tiles, fallen trees and serious structural damage.It ranged in severity from missing roof tiles, fallen trees and serious structural damage.
A large tree was uprooted in Marine Gardens, Carrickfergus, in County Antrim, on FridayA large tree was uprooted in Marine Gardens, Carrickfergus, in County Antrim, on Friday
In the Republic of Ireland, there are over 200,000 customers still without power, down from a peak of 768,000, as a result of Storm Éowyn.In the Republic of Ireland, there are over 200,000 customers still without power, down from a peak of 768,000, as a result of Storm Éowyn.
One man, Kacper Dudek, 20, died after a tree fell on his car in Raphoe, County Donegal, during the storm.One man, Kacper Dudek, 20, died after a tree fell on his car in Raphoe, County Donegal, during the storm.
Thousands of customers in Scotland are also still without power.Thousands of customers in Scotland are also still without power.
Emergency contactsEmergency contacts
To report faults or emergencies you should contact:To report faults or emergencies you should contact:
Northern Ireland Housing Executive: 03448 920 901Northern Ireland Housing Executive: 03448 920 901
Openreach Damages to Network: 08000 23 20 23 (Individual faults must be logged with Communications Providers)Openreach Damages to Network: 08000 23 20 23 (Individual faults must be logged with Communications Providers)
Gas networks: 0800 002001Gas networks: 0800 002001
NI Water: 03457 44 00 88 or visit niwater.com, externalNI Water: 03457 44 00 88 or visit niwater.com, external
Flooding Incident Line: 0300 2000 100Flooding Incident Line: 0300 2000 100
NIE Networks: 03457 643 643 or visit nienetworks.co.ukNIE Networks: 03457 643 643 or visit nienetworks.co.uk