The Minister also announced two hardship schemes to provide support for businesses and some other non-domestic premises that were impacted by the flooding at the end of October/early November 2023 but were not eligible for the previous £7,500 payment or the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme.
Details of how to apply for the two hardship schemes is explained below.
The Flooding Hardship Scheme is financed by the Department for the Economy and administered by District Councils. The purpose of the schemes is to provide support to businesses, and some other non-domestic premises, that were affected by the flooding at the end of October/early November 2023, but were not eligible for the previous £7,500 payment or the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme (EFSS).
If you have reviewed the guidance notes below and believe you may be eligible for the scheme, you should complete an application form and indicate whether you are applying for £5,000 Hardship Scheme or £2,500 Hardship scheme. Applicants will need to submit evidence to demonstrate that the business meets the eligibility criteria for the hardship grant. This will all be through the online portal SmartSimple | Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. (smartsimpleuk.com). Please register your business and complete the organisation profile on the portal then you will gain access to the application
An online information session will be held on Thursday 21 March from 12.30-1.30pm. Register via: www.ticketsource.co.uk/newry-mourne-down-district-council/t-yakaqoo
Newry Mourne and Down is administering the scheme. Should businesses encounter any issues with the application process or require further support or information, they should contact: flooding@nmandd.org
Applications open on Wednesday 13 March 2024 at 12noon and will close on Friday 29 March 2024 at 12 noon.
The Flooding Hardship Scheme guidance notes can be downloaded below. Please read carefully before submitting an application.
1st Round of funding explained below
Following Economy Minister Conor Murphy’s announcement last week of a support package for businesses affected by recent flooding, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is inviting applications to an Enhanced Flood Support Scheme. At a special meeting of the Council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee on Monday 26 February, Councillors agreed to proceed with administering the latest funding.
Following flooding in the district in October/November 2023, the Council delivered the first phase of business support funding to local businesses on behalf of the Department for Economy. This scheme closed in December and issued payments of £7,500 to approximately 114 businesses.
The Enhanced Flood Support Scheme will provide further support to businesses that were directly flooded following the severe weather in late October and early November. The support is in addition to the £7,500 grants and rates relief that has been provided to date to affected businesses.
The purpose of the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme grant is to provide up to £100,000 additional support to eligible businesses to help them re-open and resume trading, or remain open and continue trading. Applicants will have two options to choose from during the process dependant on the level of eligible costs incurred, or to be incurred.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Valerie Harte said, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council welcomes the Department for Economy funding that will enable us to provide this further post-flooding business support. This will help us to secure the medium to long-term economic future of our city and towns. I encourage traders to visit the online portal to check eligibility and make an application for funding ahead of the 22 March deadline.”
Applicants will be required to submit appropriate evidence to support their application. All awards are subject to funding availability and late applications will not be accepted. Should they require further support or information, applicants are asked to contact: flooding@nmandd.org