Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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680. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to consider expanding the humanitarian assistance scheme to cover commercial, agricultural and small businesses who have suffered damage in the recent storms and the snow in early January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2792/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my department through the local Community Welfare Service, was activated on the 23rd January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.

The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is to provide 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.

My department provides assistance to households in the immediate aftermath of severe weather events under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. This includes emergency support payments for items such as essential food and clothing in the immediate aftermath of the event. These payments are not income tested and are based on the immediate need of impacted individuals.

Support is also available for the replacement of white goods and basic furniture and to repair damage to homes. Income limits for these supports are: €50,000 for a single person; €90,000 for a couple and €15,000 per dependent child.

Reduced or tapered levels of support may be provided in cases where a household‘s income is above these limits.

It is important to note that my department remains available to provide financial support to people who do not have any power or water supply. This includes support to pay for alternative accommodation if necessary.

People who need assistance in the areas affected should contact their local Community Welfare Service by visiting their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office, or phoning the Department at 0818 60 70 80 or emailing the Community Welfare Service at HAS@welfare.ie.

Support for commercial, agricultural and small businesses is not within the scope of the scheme. Support for those sectors would be a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.