Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

163. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications under humanitarian assistance scheme 1 and humanitarian assistance scheme two which have been refused, in tabular form. [39873/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

As of 14th July 2025, I can advise that 95,943 claims for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme have been registered and 58,041 claims have been awarded, with over €14.15 million being paid in respect of Storm Éowyn related claims.

There are 35,870 HAS 1 applications and 1,735 HAS 2 applications which have been disallowed. The Department continues to accept and process requests for a review of a decision. 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.