The Executive today agreed funding allocations of £19.4 million
with £17.4 million being provided to help departments deal with
the impact of Storm Éowyn.
The remaining £2 million has been allocated to the Department for
the Economy for unavoidable pressure in their statutory skills
programme which have arisen due to higher than anticipated
demand.
Finance Minister said: “Storm Éowyn
caused widespread disruption to individuals, businesses,
communities and to public services with damage to our schools,
hospital estate and critical infrastructure including the road
network and water supply.
“I want to pay tribute to our front line staff and
emergency services who worked together with partner agencies in
the most challenging of circumstances to keep us safe, support
the most vulnerable in our communities, clear roads and restore
power.
“The recovery operation will take time, with assessments
still ongoing the true cost of the storm has yet to be fully
quantified. Given the unprecedented scale of the Storm Éowyn, I
was determined to ensure this additional Westminster funding was
allocated quickly to departments to help them respond to its
impact."
The funding allocations for Storm Éowyn are as follows:
- Department for Infrastructure – £8 million for range of
pressures arising due to Storm Éowyn.
- Department of Health – £4 million for repairs to the Health
and Social Care and Public Safety Estate.
- Department of Education – £3 million for school building
repairs.
- Department for Communities – £1.4 million for range of
pressures including emergency financial assistance scheme.
- Department of Justice – £1 million to meet costs for
additional policing costs above normal policing by assisting
other emergency service partners in the repair of damage to
infrastructure.
The Minister concluded: “Given the unforeseen costs and
exceptional challenges facing departments as they deal with the
aftermath of the storm the limited funding available had to be
prioritised for this purpose.
“I appreciate the other financial pressures faced by
Departments and am committed to working together with my
Executive colleagues to address the challenges ahead.”
Notes to editors:
- The Executive has received an additional £17.1 million in
funding following the Westminster Supplementary Estimates
process. £2.3 million is available for reallocation following an
easement.
- A copy of the Minister's Written Ministerial Statement which
includes detail on allocations can be
viewed at https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/minister-finance-written-ministerial-statement-response-storm-ewoyn-and-other-pressures.
