Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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898. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of humanitarian assistance scheme 1 applications, per county, received following Storm Éowyn; the number therein that were granted on initial assessment; the number refused on initial assessment and the number not yet finalised, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29406/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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899. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of humanitarian assistance scheme 1 applications that were refused on initial assessment that were subsequently appealed, or for which a review was sought, per county; the number which were subsequently granted, refused or not yet finalised, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29407/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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900. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of humanitarian assistance scheme 2 applications, per county, in tabular form, received following storm Éowyn; the numbers therein that were granted on initial assessment; the number refused on initial assessment and the number not yet finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29408/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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901. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of humanitarian assistance scheme 2 applications that were refused on initial assessment that were subsequently appealed or for which a review was sought, per county; the number which were subsequently granted, refused or not yet finalised, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29409/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 898, 899, 900 and 901 together.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my Department through the local Community Welfare Services (CWS), was activated on Thursday 23 January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) is operated in 3 stages. The majority of payments made to people to date as a result of Storm Éowyn have been Stage 1, 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 scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event.

My Department does not currently have a breakdown of all claims registered by stage and by county. However as of 03rd June 2025, I can advise that 93,794 claims for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme have been registered and 55,672 Stage 1 claims have been awarded, with over €13.6 million being paid in respect of Storm Éowyn related claims.

The total number of claims received include 2,018 applications for Stage 2 and Stage 3. 30 claims have been awarded in respect of Stage 2 and 3 applications with just under €56,900 being paid in respect of these. Stages 2 and 3 of the HAS remain open and the Department continues to accept applications.

There are 20,053 Stage 1 applicants, whose claims have been decided and have not been awarded a payment in respect of Storm Éowyn. A person may request a review of a decision and review requests are undertaken by a SWA Review Officer. The review process may lead to a fresh examination of the initial decision made or include further contact/engagement with the customer and/or a requirement for additional supporting information or evidence to be provided, in order to assist the Review Officer with their consideration of the review request reasons.

As all decisions, positive and negative, can be reviewed upon request. Up to 3rd June 2025 6,825 review requests have been received. 6,780 review requests relate to Stage 1 payments. 4,964 review requests have been finalised as of 3rd June 2025. 1,816 review requests remain to be decided.

I can advise the Deputy that in the majority of finalised review cases, the applicant has provided additional information/clarification on review which results in a payment being awarded. Where a review has yet to be finalised, this is generally because further information or clarification is awaited from the applicant.

The tables below provide details up to 03 June 2025 outlining the number of payments made, and expenditure by stage since Storm Éowyn. Stage 1 applications registered and awarded by county can be seen on table 2.

Breakdown of awarded claims by stage (Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3) in relation to Storm Éowyn.