AQW 26219/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 28/04/2025
Answered On Date: 14/05/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any engagement her predecessor had with local businesses to assess the level of need prior to setting the £100,000 cap on applications for the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme.

Answer:

Conor Murphy engaged with a number of businesses and business organisations following the severe flooding at the end of 2023. Departmental officials made use of a range of material when assessing the need for the flood support schemes. This material included a survey of a sample of flood affected businesses provided by Newry Mourne and Down District Council, a report undertaken by Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) on the economic impact of the flooding and information proved by the NI Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).