Almost 800 applications from businesses in Derry council area rejected for Covid support by Department of Finance 1,500 applications submitted for financial support after recent lockdown restrictions The applications were made to Stormont. Reporter: '); '); Almost 800 applications from Derry and Strabane businesses for Covid-related financial support from Stormont have been rejected. Finance Minister Conor Murphy said a total of 1,502 applications had been received from the Derry City and Strabane District Council as part of the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS). The scheme was set up to support businesses affected by the lockdown restrictions in the local council area. Mr Murphy said the scheme opened to businesses in Derry and Strabane on October 14 and to busineses in other areas affected by restrictions on October 19.