Compensation for Storm Éowyn victims raised with NIE, says Michelle O’Neill

Emma Little Pengelly said the Executive working to get connnection dates “pull forward” and as many people connected in “next 24 hours to 48 hours”.

“We’ve urged NIE to go away and consider our proposal for goodwill payments  – we understand that’s what’s happening in Scottish energy companies in relation to the same storm – we see no reason why this shouldn’t happen here so we are urging NIE to go away and consider that and come back to us very quickly with an indication of what they want to do.
Those people without electricity and water are facing real hardship. Many have had to eat out and not able to make food for family within their home.
Food within fridges and freezers unable to be used.
It’s the right thing to do for NIE to step up and do a goodwill payment and not wait for further discussions.
They can do a goodwill payment is our understanding.”

Emma Little Pengelly: “We are very conscious this is day 4 and there are still people without electricity, access to water or communications.
“That is an unacceptable position and we are doing everything we can do in our power to get those reconnections made as soon as possible”

Michelle O’Neill: “We commend the public for their patience for working with us through this unprecedented and difficult time. We ourselves have had executive meeting on Friday night, engagement with the Prime Minister to ensure we are doing absolutely everything we can. That includes securing additional resources and we have been successful in that.”

Michelle O’Neill: “Right across the agencies everyone is putting their shoulder to the wheel in terms of recovery. Considerable progress has been made.

“Damage to water and electricity network still really significant.”

Anyone currently without water as a result of the storm should have their service restored by 10am this morning, according to deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
Thousands of customers across the country are still without water supplies as of this morning.
Speaking to BBC’s Good Morning Ulster, the deputy First Minister acknowledged the “frustrations” of people without power or water.
“We know it is incredibly frustrating for those people. We have been doing everything we can to ensure the rollout of reconnections is accelerated,” she said.
“In terms of the 65,000 who are sitting without electricity, we know the hardship you are going through.  NI Water is working to try to get everyone restored by about 10am this morning.”
Meanwhile the First Minister Michelle O’Neill confirmed during conversations with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer the Executive asked for “additional engineers we asked for generators we asked for battery packs”.
“We had those additional engineers on Saturday, more arrived last night. There is no doubt there will be significant costs associated with the recovery,” she added.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Winds are expected to become generally lighter over the coming days, with a mixture of sunshine and showers on Monday and Tuesday. The showers could be heavy at times on Monday with a small risk of thunder.

“Dry and largely sunny weather is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday with overnight frosts and fog patches.”

The majority of schools across Northern Ireland will be open on Monday, despite the impact of Storm Éowyn, Education Minister Paul Givan has said.

Only a small number will be closed due to damage and the majority of those are hoping to reopen on Tuesday.

“Work has continued today to support schools impacted by Storm Éowyn to reopen as soon as possible,” Mr Givan said, in a statement issued on Sunday night.

“The Education Authority’s Maintenance Helpline has been operational throughout the weekend. It received 154 reports of damage to school buildings, ranging in severity from missing roof tiles, fallen trees and serious structural damage.

“The safety of children and staff is paramount. Maintenance teams have been out on the ground today undertaking essential repairs and assessing whether it is safe to reopen.

“The latest information indicates that only a small number of schools will be closed on Monday due to damage caused by the storm and the majority of these we hope will be able to open on Tuesday. The Education Authority has been engaging with principals and are working to put contingency arrangements in place.”

Turning to the impact of the damage to the electricity network, the Education Minister continued: “Unfortunately there has been extensive damage to the electricity network across Northern Ireland. Currently, NIE Networks estimate that there are approximately 80 schools without power, however this number is continually fluctuating.

“We are working closely with NIE and they have confirmed that they will, where possible, prioritise schools that currently have no power.

“As the situation is evolving, decisions are being taken by schools at a local level. I would therefore ask parents to stay in close contact with their school, as they will be communicating the latest position and advice via their usual channels.”

An online information session was held for schools on Sunday evening to provide an update on the current situation and over 280 principals attended.

Mr Givan continued: “This has been a challenging weekend for school leaders and I want to place on record my thanks for their considerable efforts, as we work together to ensure schools reopen as quickly as possible

“It is important that wherever possible, when a school is closed, children engage in remote learning to minimise disruption to their education. Schools have been asked to make every effort to deploy remote learning. If families do not have online access, children can complete any outstanding homework, coursework or work that was sent home last week.

“Schools will understand if children are unable to complete work that is set online if pupils do not have electricity or internet access. We also understand it is very disruptive for families and for children to be off school and many parents will need to work and will be relying on the support of family or friends.”

The Education Authority’s Transport Service plans to operate as normal on Monday. However, there may be some disruption or delays to routes as a result of damage to infrastructure.

If you have any queries you should contact the Transport Helpline on Tel: 028 9598 5959 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm).

There may also be some impact to school meals in a number of schools as a result of power outages from Friday. Schools will inform parents/carers directly of any alternative arrangements.

The A1 in Hillsborough has been closed in both directions at Applegreen Dromore to allow NIE to repair damaged cables – local diversions are in place please, drivers should allow more time for their journey.

NIE Networks has confirmed that approximately 74,000 customers remain without electricity on Sunday evening following Storm Éowyn.

“Despite the challenging weather conditions, NIE Networks have over 1,000 staff escalated, with c211,000 customers already having their power restored,” a statement said.

“Our Incident Management Centre at Craigavon remains open, as well as our Local Incident Centres, which are in locations across Northern Ireland and used by our teams to co-ordinate our localised response.

“We are particularly keen to remind the public to maintain safety around any damaged electricity equipment and never approach a broken pole or overhead power lines, and keep children and animals away. Please report any damage to NIE Networks immediately on 03457 643 643.”

NIE Networks is also reminding customers of the cautionary measures they can take in the event of a power cut:

Customers who have lost supply should first find out if their neighbours are also without power and check household fuses and trip switches before contacting NIE Networks.

“This a difficult time for those most vulnerable members of our communities, and we would ask everyone to continue to help by keeping a close eye on neighbours and supporting them in whatever way you can,” NIE said.

“We would remind customers that they can report faults online, and also check for status updates at www.nienetworks.co.uk, or call the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643.”

The main strategic road network across NI and the majority of other roads have been cleared and are open, the Department of Infrastructure has said.

A statement on Sunday evening said: “Multi-agency partners are continuing to deal with the aftermath of Storm Éowyn which caused widespread damage and disruption to critical infrastructure across the north.

“This a difficult time for those most vulnerable members of our communities and we would ask everyone to continue to help by keeping a close eye on neighbours and supporting them in whatever way you can.

“The main strategic road network and the majority of other roads have been cleared and are open. The Department for Infrastructure will continue to respond to get remaining roads opened as quickly as possible.

“Road users should pay heed to ‘road closed’ signs as these warnings are intended to keep the travelling public safe while road clearance work is underway.”

The Department has signposted information on local council websites and on NI Direct around drop-in centres that are open across NI.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn has promised every possible support from the UK Government to the effort to repair damage done by Storm Éowyn.

Mr Benn said ministers from a number of UK Government departments, led by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, were working to assist NI Executive ministers.

It comes after he joined a call on Saturday afternoon between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

The PM paid tribute to the efforts of all those involved in the response to the storm and their tireless work in keeping people safe.

Speaking on Sunday afternoon, the Secretary of State said the scale of the damage was “deeply concerning” and also expressed his gratitude to those working on the relief effort.

“I am pleased that under mutual aid arrangements, specialist engineers from England are already in Northern Ireland to assist with the urgent effort to restore power to communities and more are on their way,” Mr Benn said.

“We are also examining how we can assist with other requests made by the Executive and Northern Ireland Electricity for equipment and personnel.

“I will continue to work closely with Cabinet colleagues and Northern Ireland Executive ministers in the days ahead to make sure we are doing all that we can to support those affected.”