Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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101. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will provide an update on the review for a humanitarian assistance scheme application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14236/25]

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 affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.

Stage 1 of HAS is available to people who need immediate humanitarian support while they are without power and/or water. Payments under Stage 1 are not income tested and applications paid have generally been to meet the additional cost of food, in the context of people being unable to either refrigerate or cook food while they had no power.

The scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event. It does not cover damage or losses that are reasonably expected to be covered by insurance policies, this includes spoiled food in a freezer etc., nor does it cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a HAS payment on 18/02/2025. Their claim was disallowed on the basis that they claimed for the replacement of freezer items on their application form which is not covered under HAS. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome and affording them the option of seeking a review of the decision issued to them in writing.

Following your Parliamentary Question, a Review Officer contacted and reviewed the claim of the person concerned. In considering every circumstance of the case and some further clarifications the Review Officer has awarded a payment towards the additional costs of food incurred as a result of the power outages due to Storm Éowyn. The person concerned has been notified of this outcome and will receive payment in 2 – 3 days.

I trust this clarifies the matter.