Earlier this month, the Stormont executive agreed to provide a one-off Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme for non-domestic properties and small businesses affected by the winter floods.

The scheme is set to mirror the emergency financial payments of £1,000 now routinely provided to households affected by flooding, which is funded through the Department of the Environment (DOE) and claimed through the local council.

The non-domestic scheme will also provide a £1,000 payment, administered via the local council.

On enquiry, a DARD spokesperson confirmed that it will be funded jointly by DARD and DOE, and will open for applications from 4 to 30 April 2016. Further guidance and application forms will be available on district council websites from 4 April.

Non-domestic scheme

However, the non-domestic scheme comes with a list of qualifying criteria. Any loss incurred must not be insurable, it is not open to businesses employing more than 25 people, and businesses must be able to demonstrate a remedial cost of at least £1,000.

Where a farmer is claiming for damage to their land, fields must have been under water for at least 14 days, with additional cost incurred due to sward restoration or reseeding work.

“Only farmers whose land farmed has been significantly affected as a result of sustained high levels in Lough Neagh and Lough Erne will be considered.

‘‘It is planned to define and publish a list of eligible areas ahead of scheme opening,” confirmed a DARD spokesperson.