SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has urged people to sign up to the Homeowner Flood Protection Scheme before the 30th September deadline.
He also criticised the lack of adequate action in relation to flood protection.
The government scheme had initially been set-up to help people with the costs of flood-proofing their homes.
Now due to financial limitations the Department for Infrastructure have announced they will not accept applications beyond September 2019.
The Foyle MLA said: “The Department’s current position on the Homeowners’ Flood Protection Grant Scheme, whilst lamentable is not entirely unprecedented.
“There must never be a repeat of the devastating consequences the flooding of August 2017 had on homes and businesses here.
“And whilst I understand this ‘pilot project’ is bound by financial limitations, myself and indeed others have called time and time again for a review of this grant.
“Firstly to make the application process more accessible and secondly to reconsider its time-limited nature.
“It is unacceptable that neither proposal has been sanctioned.
“It cannot be forgotten that areas such as Ivy Mead and Eglinton had been identified as ‘high risk’ of flooding three years prior, yet essential modifications and measures which would have mitigated the damage and distress of 2017’s floods, were not implemented.
“Victims of flooding have been let down time and time again- and with no Executive fighting their case, getting the assistance they needed has been near impossible.
“It is disappointing that two years on, the havoc wreaked by this event has not been fully dealt with – we only have to look at the football pitches in Drumahoe.
“Now is the time we learn from past failings and take preventative measures to ensure the profound impact inflicted on people’s homes and businesses never happens again.
“Securing the continuance of schemes such as the Homeowner’s Flood Protection Grant would be a start.
“People want to see clear outcomes and swift actions that will protect their properties and give them peace of mind. We cannot afford to prevaricate on matters as important as these,” added Mr Durkan.
Tags: