A new rapid response scheme will allow the government in Northern Ireland to tackle future crises more effectively, it was announced today.
By next month, departments will be able to access emergency money to help the victims of crises like flooding or animal health.
Potential crises like the pork contamination scare, flooding and bluetongue disease prompted the move to ensure a rapid response is available by the end of January.
At present it can take some time for the affected Department, like Agriculture, to access money to provide relief.
First Minister Peter Robinson said the money will initially be used "to direct funds towards the most vulnerable in our society at a time of exceptional need in relation to fuel costs."
Ministers also outlined plans to meet with banks and other financial institutions to consider ways of easing widespread financial hardship.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness said the measures were pragmatic and imaginative and said the
Executive was united in its efforts to protect and shelter people from the worst effects of the financial crisis.