Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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103. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the engagements his Department has had with the Department of Social Protection in relation to the potential costs of the humanitarian assistance scheme arising from recent storm-related applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5061/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is administered by the Community Welfare Services section of the Department of Social Protection. It was activated on the 23rd January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.

The purpose of the 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.

The allocation provided for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme in the Revised Estimates for 2025 is €200,000.

Officials from the Department of Social Protection have been in contact with officials in my Department with regard to activation of the scheme following Storm Éowyn and have noted potential increased levels of expenditure for this scheme due to the impacts of the storm.

I will continue to engage with my colleague the Minister of Social Protection and colleagues across Government as this progresses.