Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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131. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for humanitarian assistance that have been received by his Department in the wake of storm Éowyn; the number that have been processed; the number that have been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8593/25]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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135. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who applied for the various humanitarian assistance schemes introduced after the recent storm; the number who were successful in their application; the number who were unsuccessful; and the amount paid out under the humanitarian assistance schemes. [7723/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 135 together.

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

In dealing with emergency events, the Community Welfare Service generally adopts a three-stage approach.

• Stage 1 provides emergency support payments such as food, clothing and 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 to process the large volume of Humanitarian Assistance Scheme Stage 1 claims that has been received since Storm Éowyn on the 24th of January.

Since Storm Éowyn, almost 12,000 payments have been made to members of the public up to the 25th February 2025, totalling almost € 2.6 million. Other relevant statistics are being collated and my officials will contact the Deputy once these numbers have been finalised.

Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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132. 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 Sligo and in Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8265/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is administered by my department through the local Community Welfare Service and 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.

Since Storm Éowyn, almost 12,000 payments have been made to members of the public up to the 25th February 2025, totalling almost €2.6 million. Of these, just over 850 payments have been made to householders in County Leitrim with a total of just under €235,000, while almost 340 payments totalling almost €73,600 have been made to householders in county Sligo.