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Emergency fund for flood victims Councillors meet over flood money
(about 15 hours later)
Finance Minister Peter Robinson has given the Department of Environment £5m to help people affected by this week's flooding. Councillors in Belfast will meet later to see how their share of a £5m flood relief fund from the Northern Ireland Executive can best be used.
Environment Minister Arlene Foster will channel the money through local councils in the areas affected. Castlereagh and Omagh councils are also expected to receive a portion of the hardship fund.
Finance Minister Peter Robinson has given the Department of Environment the money to help people affected by this week's flooding.
Environment Minister Arlene Foster will channel the money through councils.
The executive said the money was not compensation or an admission of responsibility.The executive said the money was not compensation or an admission of responsibility.
The funds could be used as part of the clean up operation or to help people make claims on their insurance.The funds could be used as part of the clean up operation or to help people make claims on their insurance.
The finance minister said the money was intended to provide immediate relief.The finance minister said the money was intended to provide immediate relief.
The executive will also be examining its response to the flooding with the intention of improving future emergency planning procedures.The executive will also be examining its response to the flooding with the intention of improving future emergency planning procedures.
"The executive felt that this is the best way of providing material help to people in hardship whose homes have been badly affected by flood damage." said Mr Robinson."The executive felt that this is the best way of providing material help to people in hardship whose homes have been badly affected by flood damage." said Mr Robinson.
"The focus for this aid is not the provision of financial compensation, but instead the provision of practical assistance in areas such as cleaning up flood damage, restoring essential household utilities, and ensuring homes are made habitable as quickly as possible.""The focus for this aid is not the provision of financial compensation, but instead the provision of practical assistance in areas such as cleaning up flood damage, restoring essential household utilities, and ensuring homes are made habitable as quickly as possible."
More than 30 people had to be rescued after torrential rain caused widespread flooding throughout Northern Ireland on Tuesday.More than 30 people had to be rescued after torrential rain caused widespread flooding throughout Northern Ireland on Tuesday.
The Fire and Rescue Service responded to almost 400 emergency calls in a short period as homes and several roads were flooded.The Fire and Rescue Service responded to almost 400 emergency calls in a short period as homes and several roads were flooded.
East Belfast was particularly affected by the downpour. Other areas affected were Magherafelt, Lisburn, Omagh, Cookstown and Dungannon.East Belfast was particularly affected by the downpour. Other areas affected were Magherafelt, Lisburn, Omagh, Cookstown and Dungannon.