Background legislation
Article 26 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 makes provision for a scheme of emergency financial assistance to district councils.
In any case where:
- an emergency or disaster occurs involving destruction of or danger to life or property; and
- as a result, one or more councils incur expenditure on, or in connection with, the taking of immediate action (whether by the carrying out of works or otherwise) to safeguard life or property, or to prevent suffering or severe inconvenience, in its district or among its inhabitants
The Department may establish a scheme under this Article for the giving of financial assistance to those councils in respect of that expenditure.
The Scheme enables the Department to reimburse the councils for expenditure incurred as a result of immediate action following a flooding incident. It includes an immediate payment of £1000 to householders as practical assistance to those who have suffered severe inconvenience to help make homes habitable as quickly as possible (If household deemed to fit criteria).
Current scheme
The current flooding scheme is from 30 December 2022 to 29 January 2023.
The Scheme and Annexes can be accessed using the following link.
For advice and guidance, you can visit the flood advice page on the NI Direct website.
If you have any specific concerns you can contact the Police on their non-emergency number 101. If you wish to report flooding, ring the flooding incident number - 0300 2000 100.