Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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156. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people who were initially refused the humanitarian assistance payment in response to storm Éowyn but were subsequently granted payment following appeal of his Department’s decision. [61982/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

A person may request a review of a decision on their HAS application and review requests are undertaken by a 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 of 07th November 2025, there have been 6,995 HAS1 review requests received. In 189 of these requests the original decision was upheld and in 6,806 the original decision was revised and a payment awarded. I can advise the Deputy that in the majority of finalised review cases, where the original decision was revised, the applicant provided additional information/clarification which resulted in a payment being awarded.

There have also been 202 HAS 2/3 review requests received as of 07th November 2025. Of these review requests, 195 original decisions have been upheld and 7 have been revised.

The Community Welfare Service continues to engage and provide supports under the scheme to householders. Stages 2 and 3 of the HAS remain open and my Department continues to currently accept applications. My Department also continues to accept and process requests for a review of a decision made on HAS applications.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.