Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies. My Department provides assistance to eligible households in the immediate aftermath of emergency weather events under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my Department through the local Community Welfare Service, was activated to assist householders affected by a number of recent weather events across the Country. This scheme remains open to those affected by these weather events to apply for assistance.

The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is to provide income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.

The income test for Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is more generous than that which applies in the case of 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 (including non-Social Welfare recipients).

Statistics are maintained by County on the number of payments made on the scheme. Since Storm Babet which occurred on 18^thOctober 2023, some 870 payments have been made to members of the public in Co. Cork up to the week ending 13^thJanuary 2024, totaling almost €1.69 million.

If any household affected by the flooding in Co. Cork needs to access these supports, they can contact the Community Welfare Service by phoning 0818 60 70 80.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.