Lord Caine Applauds Downpatrick's Recovery and Community Resilience After Storm Ciarán

In a heartfelt visit to Downpatrick, Lord Caine, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, shared his admiration for the resilience of the local community and businesses in the aftermath of last year's devastating floods caused by Storm Ciarán. The visit underscored a journey of recovery, bolstered by significant governmental support and a testament to the undaunted spirit of Downpatrick's residents and entrepreneurs.

In November, the towns of Downpatrick, Newry, and Portadown bore the brunt of Storm Ciarán's fury, leading to severe flooding that impacted both homes and businesses. The calamity prompted a swift response from the UK Government, which allocated up to £15 million from existing Northern Ireland funding to aid the affected areas. This package included rate relief for flooded businesses and one-off grants, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

Adding to the central government's support, the Northern Ireland Civil Service unveiled an additional assistance scheme, promising up to £100,000 per business. This funding aimed to cover the cost of replacing damaged equipment, refurbishing affected properties, and repairing structural damages, marking a significant step towards recovery and resilience.

During his visit, Lord Caine engaged with community members and business owners who shared their stories of adversity and recovery. He highlighted the importance of the governmental support in these efforts, including the crucial role played by rate relief and the comprehensive funding package in facilitating the community's recuperation.

Furthermore, Lord Caine's visit to the temporary Asda store in Downpatrick not only illustrated the progress made but also reflected ongoing commitments to the town's economic revitalization. His discussions with Lord Rose, the ASDA Chairman, earlier in January, emphasized a continued dedication to supporting Downpatrick's path to recovery.

The visit also spotlighted the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme by the NI Civil Service, offering substantial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises. Lord Caine expressed gratitude towards the Department of Economy and local councils for their relentless work in delivering this support.