Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The approach to this scheme has been unnecessarily petty and insulting to many of my constituents who suffered enormously after Storm Éowyn, particularly elderly and vulnerable individuals who were left to fend for themselves in many cases. Many in my constituency feel they were abandoned despite the assurances given by Government that everyone would be looked after.

I have been inundated with queries from people whose humanitarian assistance scheme, HAS, applications were rejected. I have had people who cannot understand how their neighbour who lost electricity for the same length of time as them and faced the same additional costs as them had their application granted but theirs was refused. An individual was in touch who went 16 days without electricity and had their application refused. How can that be justified? It has now been suggested that loss of food is not covered under the scheme or that the applicant must specify that he or she had to spend money on things like eating out rather than just losing the contents of the fridge or freezer. This is a very cruel approach caused by the failure to issue clear guidelines on this scheme even though the Department was repeatedly asked to provide them. If people are without electricity and have lost the contents of their fridge and freezer, they will face additional food costs. They have to eat out or they have to eat somehow. As suggested by the Minister, they cannot claim for it under their home insurance. Policies have excesses and people do not want to increase their premiums.

There was an attempt to close the scheme without anybody being informed. That caused huge confusion. The Government promise to businesses and farmers, many of whom suffered enormous damage, was that they would be supported, but those promises have proven to be empty words. Despite our calls, nothing has been put in place for businesses or farms. That needs to be looked at. The Minister needs to recognise all of the issues with this scheme, ensure people who had their applications refused will be reviewed, and that something will be issued to the people who deserve support. The reality is many people do not want to beg for a payment and they are not going to request a review. For any applications that have not yet had a decision made on them, especially at the later stages of the HAS, please ensure they are assessed fairly and that people are adequately compensated. Please ensure there is proper preparation for future weather events.

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