John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to report on his Department’s humanitarian assistance for those impacted by storm Éowyn in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8317/25]

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, over 3,750 payments have been made to householders in County Galway with a total value of just over €826,000.