Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)
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101. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures he has taken to ensure storm readiness and to support those impacted by storms given the recent issues that arose in the aftermath of storm Éowyn. [8361/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is administered through my Department's Community Welfare Service. My first act as Minister, following my appointment, was to activate the scheme on the 23rd January 2025 to assist householders across the country ahead of the arrival of Storm Éowyn.

At the outset, I wish to thank the staff and managers of the service for their extraordinary response working nights and weekends, together with their colleagues in local authorities, including travelling to customer homes in remote locations and on the islands. It was because of this response that many people were able to access temporary accommodation and fund the purchase of emergency supplies.

As the Deputy will be aware the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme operates in three stages:

Under Stage 1 of the scheme, in the immediate aftermath of severe weather events, households can receive assistance 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.

Following Storm Éowyn the scheme has, in addition to accommodation and food, supported the purchase of necessary items such as gas heaters, torches, and the hiring and running costs for domestic generators by people who did not have any power and/or water supply.

Under Stage 2 of the scheme, support is available for the replacement of white goods and basic furniture.

Under Stage 3 the scheme provides support for the repair of structural damage to homes.

Payments under Stage 2 and 3 are subject to income limits and also to the provision of valid reasons setting out why the costs claimed are not covered by household insurance. This is important in order to avoid people with resources using the State as a default insurer. Similarly, costs of building repairs may also be subject to assessment by a qualified loss adjuster.

Since Storm Éowyn, and as at 25th February, 11,999 payments have been made to members of the public totalling just over €2.561 million.

Looking beyond the schemes operated by my Department, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop an “Extreme Weather Event Assistance Scheme for homes, community organisations, farmers and businesses.”

This work will now be informed by the experience of Storm Éwoyn and I will work with my Government colleagues to ensure our preparedness for future extreme weather events.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will report on his Department’s humanitarian assistance for those impacted by storm Éowyn in Cavan/Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8463/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My first act as Minister, following my appointment, was to activate the scheme Humanitarian Assistance Scheme on the 23rd January 2025 to assist householders across the country ahead of the arrival of Storm Éowyn. The Community Welfare Service, which delivers the scheme, responded immediately preparing for the expected inflow of claims.

Staff and managers of the service then worked through weekends and nights in the immediate aftermath of the storm and contributed significantly to providing real time information to the Emergency Co-ordination Committee. They and their colleagues in local authorities and other state, community and voluntary organisations showed not just how important but how effective a local response led by local people can be in dealing with issues in real time on the ground. I am sure that you will join with me in thanking them for their public service.

Humanitarian Assistance Payments are generally made under three stages.

Urgent or emergency support payments are made under Stage 1 of the scheme. Stage 1 payments are made 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.

Payments made under Stage 1 have supported the purchase of necessary items such as gas heaters, torches, and the hiring and running costs for domestic generators by people who did not have any power or water supply following Storm Éowyn.

In addition, a number of people in very challenging circumstances have been supported with the cost of alternative accommodation under Stage 1. The level of support provided reflects reasonable rates based on local cost availability.

Although the scheme is not intended to be a compensation scheme for losses that should be covered by insurance, payments are available under Stage 2 for the replacement of white goods and basic furniture subject to the person being able to establish a valid reason for non-insurance.

Under Stage 3, and again subject to a valid reason for non-insurance, payments may also be made to repair damage to homes.

Unlike Stage 1 payments, Stage 2 and Stage 3 payments are subject to income tests. This is important to ensure that people who have resources do not use the State as a default insurer.

In response to Storm Éwoyn and as of 25th February 2025, almost 12,000 payments have been made to members of the public, totalling almost €2.6 million. Of these, over 1,250 payments have been made to householders in County Cavan with a total of just over €250,000, while just over 300 payments totalling almost €58,000 were made in County Monaghan.