Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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490. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive their humanitarian claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5761/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) is to prevent hardship by providing income tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and/or severe weather events and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair. The scheme is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) in my Department.

In dealing with emergency events, the CWS generally adopts a three-stage approach.

• Stage 1 provides emergency income support payments (food/clothing/personal items) in the immediate aftermath of the event.

• Stage 2 involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items.

• Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support is required, including plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.

Stage 1 of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) is available to people who need immediate humanitarian support while they are without power and/or water. Payments under Stage 1 are not income tested and applications paid have generally been to meet the additional cost of food, in the context of people being unable to either refrigerate or cook food while they had no power. The scheme does not pay for damage that is covered by insurance policies, such as spoiled freezer food, nor does it cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned submitted an application for a HAS payment on 07/02/2024 for assistance with the cost of the replacement of spoiled freezer/fridge food. The Department is working through applications promptly, with priority being given to HAS Stage 1 payments to meet the ongoing immediate needs of vulnerable clients and those who were without power for an extended period of time. The application of the person concerned, will be assessed in due course, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.