Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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92. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to the humanitarian assistance scheme operated by her Department for assistance in the aftermath of floods, since this scheme was developed, if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the amount of money that has been paid; the average payment to persons; the amount of money that has been received in each county; the amount that was paid out of that scheme to County Kerry; the average payment to persons living in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6992/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The humanitarian assistance scheme was approved by Government in November 2009. The scheme, which is means tested, is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.

Total expenditure on the humanitarian assistance scheme to the end of 2013 was approximately €2.2 million in respect of approximately 3,500 payments. The statistics available show that payments issued ranged from approximately €50 to €28,000. The Government has not set a limit on the amount that can be paid to an individual household under this scheme.

In dealing with events of this nature the Department generally adopts a three stage approach as follows:

- Stage 1 is to provide emergency income support payments for food, clothing, personal items and temporary accommodation in the immediate aftermath of the event. A relatively small amount of financial assistance is generally provided initially but this will increase as the extent of the problems become clearer.

- Stage 2 generally involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items. It is not until the flood water abates and houses dry out that the full extent of the damage to homes will become known.

- Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support or works are required. It could take several months before this stage of response commences and this involves a cross Departmental/Agency response. Works carried out can include plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.

Tabular Statement – Humanitarian Assistance 2013

Humanitarian Assistance 2014 (as of 7February)