Support for flood-damaged businesses must stay despite Reval U-Turn says McMurray
South Down Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray has welcomed Minister O’Dowd’s U-turn on Reval 2026 but has cautioned that businesses damaged by flooding must not fall by the wayside as a result.
Mr McMurray said: “Businesses along Market Street in Downpatrick were badly affected by the flooding that ravaged the town centre in 2023. Many are still recovering financially.
“It has been brought to my attention that rebates for flood damage, which were included in draft outcomes from the Reval 2026 exercise, have now been lost as a result of the Minister’s U-turn on Reval 2026.
“While I welcome the decision to pause Reval 2026 in principle, this unintended side effect is alarming.
“I immediately raised this with Minister O’Dowd during Question Time.
“His advice was simply that businesses should engage with the local valuer to see if they can assist, and to ensure that they are receiving all the assistance and discounts they are entitled to.
“I’m not content with this response and have tabled further written questions and written to the Minister’s private office to provide more detailed information and urge him to ensure that appropriate rates support remains available to flood-damaged businesses in Downpatrick and elsewhere.”
