4th February 2025
As Minister for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment, I fully recognise the significant disruption and concern Storm Eowyn has caused for many businesses. My department is closely monitoring the situation, engaging with the National Emergency Coordination Group, Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), and key stakeholders to assess and address immediate challenges.
Many businesses have faced substantial impacts, including property damage, stock loss and operational disruptions due to power, water, and communication outages. Specific ongoing challenges that the Local Enterprise Offices in the most impacted counties have highlighted to me over recent days include structural damage to business premises, trading disruptions, loss of earnings and the need to incur unexpected expenditures in response to the impact of the storm. While some businesses are resuming normal operations, others are asking about the supports that will be forthcoming from government. I would like these businesses to know that the government is, and will, collaborate further with the sector to enhance infrastructure resilience, particularly across power, water, and communications, while also strengthening our emergency response framework.
Businesses affected by Storm Eowyn should first seek recourse through their insurance providers, as most losses such as damage, lost earnings and stock spoilage fall within standard coverage. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to an Extreme Weather Assistance Scheme, designed to support affected households, farms and businesses. This initiative is not considered a specific response to Storm Eowyn but rather a strategic policy action for delivery within the term of the current government. However, it is acknowledged that the unprecedented impacts of Storm Eowyn require this initiative to be a high priority policy for the relevant Departments. While the full details of this scheme are still to be fully worked through, noting that a scheme encompassing households, farms and businesses will require input from several Ministers and Departments, the broad aim would be to strengthen the existing humanitarian assistance schemes already in place. In this regard, my officials will be engaging with their counterparts across government departments to progress this measure as a matter of urgency.
The government remains committed to supporting businesses through this recovery period and beyond. We will continue engaging with the business community to monitor emerging needs and ensure appropriate responses are in place.
ENDS
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