Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount of financial humanitarian assistance allocated as a result of severe flooding last autumn that has been allocated on a national and county wide basis; the amount of the average allocation; and if an appeal mechanism exists to challenge unsatisfactory allocations. [41399/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In the immediate aftermath of the severe flooding experienced in October 2011, the Government put in place a humanitarian assistance scheme to assist households affected by that flooding. The scheme, which is means tested, is available to people whose homes were damaged in the flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair as a result of the flooding damage.

The counties mainly affected by the autumn 2011 flooding were Dublin and Monaghan. Payments to the value of €865,444 have been paid in respect of 945 claims in Dublin and €28,767 in respect of 46 claims in Monaghan. The average value of total payments made is €902.

The humanitarian assistance scheme is a non-statutory scheme and is not covered under social welfare legislation. It is one of a number of social welfare schemes which operates on an administrative basis. Administrative schemes are not appealable under social welfare legislation. However, where a person is dissatisfied with a decision they can request to have their case reviewed by another officer. This review will be carried out by an officer not involved in the original decision.

Any person who may experience hardship as a result of flooding should contact their local department representative administering the supplementary allowance scheme who may be able to offer assistance.