Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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524. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the decision to close HAS1 applications was made, and when this decision was notified to those accepting and processing applications; where and when this decision was notified to the public; where people can now send these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14043/25]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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539. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason his decision to close stage 1 of the HAS following storm Éowyn on 19 February 2025 was not announced or publicised, informing people of the deadline; and if applications that have been refused on this basis will be reviewed in light of this. [14228/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 539 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.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme Stage 1 is available to address essential needs in respect of shelter and sustenance in the immediate aftermath of the storm, when people were without power and other utilities.

The majority of payments made to people to date as a result of Storm Éowyn have been to meet the additional cost of feeding their families in the immediate aftermath of the storm where people remained without power and/or water.

The department continues to process applications quickly. Additional staff have been assigned to deal with applications to ensure there are no undue delays. Recognising the particular circumstances of Storm Éowyn, and as an exceptional measure, I have arranged that my Department will continue to accept claims for a non-means tested payment in respect of reasonable costs for shelter, sustenance (food) and clothing incurred during and as a direct consequence of power and other utility outages resulting from Storm Éowyn. While the immediate period of urgency has passed, I have directed this approach be taken in recognition of the fact that, given the scale of the storm event and its aftermath, people may not have had the opportunity submit a claim in a timely manner.

As always, people who believe that their claim was wrongly disallowed can seek to have it reviewed and all reviews will be assessed on their merits.

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.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.