Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 158: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the value to date of urgent needs payments awarded to flood victims in each county; the number of applicants involved; the corresponding figure for payments under the humanitarian assistance towards flood damage scheme; if the humanitarian scheme will consider permanent housing relocation payments in circumstances in which there is a high probability of the property flooding in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14407/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The HSE's Community Welfare Service has been providing support to households under the Humanitarian Aid Scheme since last November's flooding. Up to the 26th March 2010 they had made 2,735 payments to 1,253 individuals to the value of €1,070,595 throughout the country. The following tabular statement gives a county by county breakdown of expenditure and payments.

The question of permanent housing relocation payments is not within the scope of the Humanitarian Aid Scheme; this is a housing issue to be dealt with by the relevant housing authorities in the first instance. However, the Community Welfare Service will continue to work with any families in this position to ensure that the objectives of the humanitarian aid scheme are fully achieved in their case.

People seeking assistance should contact their local Community Welfare Office. Further information and applications forms in relation to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme are available from the Community Welfare Service in the affected areas and from the Department's website (www.welfare.ie) and the HSE's website (www.hse.ie).