Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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581. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of HAS1 forms that have been received per county or social welfare district since storm Éowyn; the number which have been processed; the number for which a payment has issued; the average payment in each county or district; the number of applications which have been rejected, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7284/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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582. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a variation in the manner in which HAS1 forms received since storm Éowyn have been dealt with in different counties or social welfare districts; if so, if he plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7285/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 and 582 together.

The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) is to prevent hardship by providing 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 repairs. 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 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.

My Department is currently working hard to process the large volume of HAS Stage 1 claims that has been received since Storm Éowyn happened on the 24th of January. Relevant statistics are being collated and my officials will contact the Deputy once these numbers have been finalised.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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583. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the HAS1 form has been means tested since storm Éowyn; if payment will issue in cases in which frozen food had to be discarded but to power outages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7286/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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609. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department is seeking receipts from those who submit HAS1 forms in respect of discarded frozen food in the aftermath of storm Éowyn; if he accepts that this is not possible in many instances whereby food was purchased several weeks beforehand and therefore receipts have not been retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7990/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 609 together.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my department through the local Community Welfare Service, was activated on the 23rd January 2025 to assist householders across the country affected 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.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme includes emergency support payments, under Stage 1 of the scheme, to households in the immediate aftermath of severe weather events for items such as essential food and clothing. These payments are not income tested and are based on the immediate need of the individuals impacted.

The scheme is designed to provide hardship alleviation, as opposed to compensation. Receipts for frozen food are not requested as the scheme does not pay for damage that is covered by insurance policies such as spoiled frozen food, storm damage, nor does it cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses.

However, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources.

Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.