Ms Helen Faughnan:

Exactly. In regard to the inspection of homes, the community welfare service staff work in tandem with the local authorities. Generally, the local authorities would notify us of houses that have been flooded, which would be confirmed by way of an engineer's report, etc. We would have that information in advance of contacting the families concerned. In the first instance, we would contact them to reassure them and to let them know this scheme is in place and that when the waters abate, etc., we will be available to assist them. There is ongoing telephone contact with people to reassure them and let them know that we will be available to help them.

On the question regarding rented accommodation, where a tenant has furnished a property, we will provide assistance to help him or her replace furniture, etc. In regard to a private landlord, we would not cover damage to the property. However, if a landlord is experiencing difficulty, he or she can seek assistance through the urgent needs payment scheme, particularly if he or she has a tenant in situ. We do not want to see tenants being made homeless, so we could assist under the urgent needs payment, UNP, scheme to help the landlord bring the property back to a habitable condition.