Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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191. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the assistance available to residents who cannot obtain flood insurance on their home; the updates that are available regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13089/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, the Department of Social Protection has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as flooding or severe weather. The Community Welfare Service of the Department closely engages with the Local Authorities and other bodies to ensure that all households that require assistance are identified and provided with access to supports.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. In addition to the payment of ENPs, SWA legislation also provides for assistance in the form of an urgent needs payment (UNP). In certain circumstances, this payment can be made to persons who would not normally be entitled to SWA. Examples of situations where such assistance may be provided would be in the aftermath of flooding or a domestic fire where the immediate needs, such as food, clothing, fuel and household goods of the people affected may be met by a UNP in cash or in kind. The Government has provided €29 million for the ENP and UNP schemes in 2015

The humanitarian assistance scheme was approved by Government in November 2009. The Government authorised the spending of up to €10 million in humanitarian aid to households affected by flooding. An additional sum of €15 million was approved by the Government in 2014 to ensure that there were adequate resources to meet the required responses. In 2014 some €1.26 million was spent under the humanitarian assistance scheme. The scheme, which is means tested, provides emergency financial assistance to households who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs in the period immediately following flooding or severe weather events. The scheme aims to provide financial support to people who have suffered damage to their homes and in doing so provide hardship alleviation, as opposed to full compensation. Repairs for structural damage caused as a result of the flooding or severe weather events can also be considered under the scheme. Levels of payment depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household's ability to meet these costs ensuring that the funding is appropriately targeted.

Any person who is experiencing hardship as a result of flooding should contact the Department's local representative administering the supplementary welfare allowance scheme who may be able to offer assistance.