Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. 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. [8607/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

To date, 11,999 claims awarded with a total value of €2,561,150.24. Average amount of awarded claims is €213.50 per claim. Of these, over 1,252 payments have been made to householders in County Cavan totalling almost €251,923, while 307 payments with a total of just over €58,247 were made in County Monaghan.

I trust this clarifies the matter.