Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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1050. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if direction has been given to staff in his Department to refuse humanitarian assistance scheme applications based on the cost of food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12067/25]

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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1051. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason applications to the humanitarian assistance scheme based on lost contents of fridges and freezers are now being rejected given that they were approved heretofore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12068/25]

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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1052. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a distinction is being made under the humanitarian assistance scheme between lost contents of fridges and freezers and additional food costs as a result of having to eat out while without electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12069/25]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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1054. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason some people who were left without power for an extended period due to Storm Éowyn are being refused payments under the humanitarian assistance scheme, HAS, for loss of food in their fridge or freezer in cases where their insurance does not cover this or they are renters; if the eligibility guidelines for this payment have been changed by his Department; his views on this given that others have been paid under the HAS for these expenses; the advice for people in this circumstance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12091/25]

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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1063. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will issue clear guidelines on the humanitarian assistance scheme given that many applications are now being rejected without explanation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12323/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1050 to 1052, inclusive, 1054 and 1063 together.

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

Firstly, I want to assure the Deputy that no instruction has been given to staff in my Department to refuse HAS applications based on the cost of food.

Up to 13 March 2025, just under 22,900 claims have been awarded with a total of over €5.2 million being paid in respect of Storm Éowyn related claims.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is operated in 3 stages. Stage 1 of the scheme is to address hardship in the immediate aftermath of a severe weather event and provides emergency support payments to cover food and other essential costs. This stage is to help people with the essentials of life – food, water, shelter, and warmth.

Stage 1 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. Payments have not been made to replace frozen food that had to be discarded; however payments have been made to support people who had to pay for meals or additional food as a result of prolonged power outages. The scheme is designed to provide immediate hardship alleviation, as opposed to compensation. Stage 1 payments are available to households that are in rented accommodation.

Responses advising people of their application outcome are issuing to those who submitted applications for Stage 1 payments. Those who are not satisfied with the outcome have been advised that they can seek a review. A person seeking a review of a decision should write to: SWA Central Review Officer, PO box 700, Dublin 22. They should set out the reason why they believe they have an entitlement to a payment, for example for accommodation or additional food costs, while their power was out. They should include as much information as possible. All requests for a review will be processed as quickly as possible and the person will be informed of the outcome.

In addition, Additional Needs Payments are available to people who have an essential need, which they cannot meet from their own resources, for example emergency assistance with accommodation and clothing.

Decision for Additional Needs Payments payments involves an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.

People who need assistance should contact their local Community Welfare Service by visiting their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office or phoning the Department at 0818 60 70 80. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

Given the significant number of households affected by Storm Éowyn, and to provide clarity on the scheme, I issued a detailed information note recently to members of the Oireachtas outlining the scope and purpose of the scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.