The SDLP has slammed the Rural Development Minister Michelle O'Neill after she refused to consider retrospective applications for access to the Flood Protection Grant Scheme.

Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said he is "shocked" at the decision after businesses across Northern Ireland were abandoned during flooding last month.

Mr McGlone said: "I have asked the Minister to make the Flood Protection Grant Scheme available to those who had their businesses and homes flooded as a result of heavy rain in December and January. It's critical that we do everything we can to support those people who have lost so much.

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"I was shocked when the Minister responded to say that she will not be accepting retrospective applications because the Department is only interested in pursuing the 'economically most viable solutions'. The Minister is clearly allowing the bureaucratic bean counters in her Department to dictate to flooding victims. That is not acceptable and is typical of the poor response to this issue to date."

(CD/MH)