Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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470. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received by her Department for the humanitarian assistance scheme in relation to Christmas day 2021 flooding in Bridgetown, County Wexford; the number of applications that have been approved and processed in full to date; the number of outstanding applications; the average payment made to applicants; the number of applications deemed ineligible for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58133/22]

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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471. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received by her Department for the humanitarian assistance scheme in relation to flash flooding on 15 August 2022 in New Ross, County Wexford; the number of applications which have been approved and processed in full to date; the number of outstanding applications; the average payment made to applicants; the number of applications deemed ineligible for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58134/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 471 together.

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. My Department has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of severe weather events, such as flooding, under the humanitarian assistance scheme.

The scheme provides income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair. The scheme does not cover losses that are covered by an insurance policy, loss of items deemed to be inessential or luxury items, commercial and business losses or loss/damage to private rented accommodation or local authority accommodation.

The scheme provided support to householders following the flooding event in Co. Wexford in December 2021. The Community Welfare Service has been engaging with 60 households of which 49 have made applications for assistance. 9 applications were deemed ineligible for the scheme. Latest figures show that some €138,000 has been paid to 40 households, 37 households have received assistance in full, 1 household has received partial assistance and this household along with the remaining 2 applications are currently under consideration.

The scheme is available to support householders following the flooding event in New Ross, Co. Wexford in August of this year. The Community Welfare Service has been working with 22 households there and have received applications for assistance from 18 households. 2 of these applications were deemed ineligible for the scheme. Latest figures indicate that over €28,000 has been paid to 14 households, 12 households have received assistance in full, 2 households have received partial assistance and these 2 households along with the remaining applications remain under consideration.

The scheme is also available to support householders following the recent weather events which occurred in Clongeen, Foulksmills and Gorey.

If any homeowner affected by the recent weather events in Co. Wexford wishes to access these supports, they should make contact with their local Community Welfare Service at:

Department of Social Protection, 1st Floor, Thomas Street, Gorey, tel. 053 9430045 or Department of Social Protection, Government Buildings, Cross Street, New Ross. tel. 051 448955.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.