Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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462. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of HAS1 and HAS2 applications received in the aftermath of storm Éowyn; the number of each that have been processed to date; the average length of time it is taking to process HAS1 applications, in tabular form, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9063/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS), administered by my Department through the Community Welfare Service (CWS), was activated on 23 January 2025 to assist householders across the country affected by Storm Éowyn. The purpose of the HAS is to prevent hardship by providing financial support to people in the aftermath of severe weather or other exceptional events and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.

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 claims that have been received since Storm Éowyn happened on the 24th of January. It has triaged in excess of 50k claims received and identified those that are most urgent - predominantly Stage 1 claims.

My Department does not currently have a breakdown of claims by county. However, on a national level, 15,210 HAS claims have been awarded to date with a total of €3,151,429 being paid in respect of Storm Éowyn related claims.

Claim processing levels within the CWS are closely monitored and I can assure the Deputy that HAS claims are being processed as quickly as possible, with priority given to the most urgent cases. I would like to thank all persons affected by Storm Éowyn and those who have submitted HAS claims for their patience.

I trust this clarifies the matter.