Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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92. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will change the requirements for victims of flooding under the means test to facilitate more persons affected by flooding in getting access to State assistance during times of need, given that many homes were unable to obtain any assistance from her Department during the floods of 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2832/16]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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101. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if compensation for severe flood damage is available to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who does not currently reside at the residence which was flooded as it is not insured and is listed as a flood risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2920/16]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 101 together.

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.

In early December 2015, the Department activated its humanitarian assistance scheme, administered by the local Community Welfare Service (CWS), to assist householders affected by the severe weather conditions. Since early December 2015, support has been provided to some 400 households at a cost of €439,000.

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

- Stage 1 is to provide emergency income support payments (food, clothing and personal items) in the immediate aftermath of the event. A relatively small amount of financial assistance is generally provided initially with payments around the country ranging from €100 to €500 depending on family size. A person may get an emergency income support payment under the scheme without regard to their income as the primary objective of these payments is to address the person’s immediate need.

- 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.

The scheme is demand led and there is a time lag between the flooding event and actual claims for financial support. It is to be expected that the number of claims increase in the weeks following a flooding event with a move into stage 2 and stage 3 supports which cover the replacement of furniture and white goods and longer term financial supports.

The income test for stage 2 and stage 3 of the humanitarian assistance scheme is fair and the means assessment is significantly more generous than that which applies in the case of means tested social welfare schemes generally. The basic principle of the income test is that individuals and families with average levels of income will qualify for assistance. The income test determines the household’s ability to meet the costs of restoring their home to a habitable condition and all household income will be considered as part of the assessment. For example, a family consisting of a couple and two children with a gross household income of €70,000 or less will receive 100% of the amount allowable in respect of their application. A reduced level of support can be provided in cases where such families have income over €70,000.

Assistance is not provided for losses which are covered by insurance or for commercial and business losses, or generally any loss or damage to private rented accommodation or local authority accommodation. The scheme is confined to assisting persons who have suffered damage to their homes. As the person referred to by Deputy Aylward is not residing in the premises affected, assistance is not available under the humanitarian assistance scheme. The Irish Red Cross is operating a separate scheme for small businesses and Community, Voluntary and Sporting Bodies affected by the recent flooding. The qualifying criteria for small business under that scheme is a matter for the Irish Red Cross and the Department of Defence.

People seeking assistance under the humanitarian assistance scheme should contact their local DSP Intreo Centre or CWS office who will be able to offer assistance. Department contact phone numbers for persons in affected areas are available on the Department’s website, as follows:

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