Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the HAS1 forms are means tested since Storm Éowyn; if payment will issue in cases where frozen food had to be discarded due to power outages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8606/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I activated the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme 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.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme 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.

The scheme is designed primarily to provide hardship alleviation, as opposed to compensation. Stage one payments made under the scheme do not pay for damage that is normally expected to be covered by insurance policies such as spoiled frozen food and damage to properties.

In some cases payments in respect of such losses will be made under the Stage 2 (household goods) and stage 3 (property damage) process where a person can demonstrate a valid reason for non-insurance. Such payments are subject to an income test. This approach is necessary to ensure that the State does not become the default insurer for risks that a household could reasonably be expected to insure on their own account.

Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.