Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú) | Oireachtas source

We are eight weeks out from Storm Éowyn and we still have many difficulties in my area in Cavan. To date, the Department of Social Protection has received 66,000 applications for the humanitarian assistance scheme with only one third of them approved. Many people have been in touch in recent days to say their applications for support have been rejected. In fact, some people have not received any response, not even an acknowledgement letter. All of the rejection letters read the same. They state lost freezer or fridge contents or damaged clothing are not covered under the scheme. I took the liberty of bringing the application form with me to the Chamber today. The first line on the form explains the humanitarian assistance scheme is designed to meet the costs of essential needs such as food, clothing and personal items. People are confused about being refused compensation for the very items the scheme is set out to cover. I ask that the Minister for Social Protection clarify what the scheme is for. We need to get immediate clarity when it comes to the scheme. While I welcome the Taoiseach's comments yesterday that the scheme will be extended, I ask him to review urgently how the scheme is being delivered and why people's requests for help are being rejected.

A worrying development since the storm has very become noticeable in my area. This is the number of elderly people who have been pressing their panic buttons seeking assistance only to find the panic buttons are not working and nobody has come to their aid. Recently in my area three people passed away because nobody was able to come to their assistance. The Minister for communications needs to address this as soon as possible.