Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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599. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the extreme weather event assistance scheme will be established; who will qualify for support under this scheme; if assistance will be granted to businesses, clubs, farmers and others affected by storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7715/25]

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 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.

This 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.

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.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop an “Extreme Weather Event Assistance Scheme for homes, community organisations, farmers and businesses”. My department will provide critical input toward the enhancement of a whole of Government response for future extreme weather events.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.