The Framework for Major Emergency Management 2006 (Framework) designates local authorities as the “Lead Agency” for coordinating the response to nine emergency scenarios, including severe weather and flooding. Local authorities are recognised as being best placed to lead and co-ordinate an emergency response in terms of capability, experience and knowledge. They work with the other two Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána and the HSE) and together form the hub around which a local response is mobilised, directed and coordinated.
As part of the response to Storm Éowyn, local authorities undertook the clearing of roads (trees and debris), and prioritised the clearing of access routes to critical infrastructure to allow the utilities providers to carry out repairs and restoration works.
Local authorities also established Local Co-ordination Groups that were responsible for establishing Community Hubs in areas that were impacted and without power and services. These hubs act as information centres, contact points, and provide access to charging facilities and in some cases hot food and drink and showers. These also act as sites for Uisce Éireann to provide alternative water sources such as tankered water and bottled water for collection by those living in impacted communities. There is also a welfare element to the Community Hubs with Social Protection Community Welfare Officers and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment representatives on site to advise on state supports which are available to those impacted.
These Community Hubs and the other services provided by the local authorities and other agencies are available to all citizens in the impacted communities including tenants of local authorities. These services will remain in place where necessary until all citizens’ connections to essential utilities are full restored.
In relation to their housing function, local authorities may disregard the order of priority given to a household under an allocation scheme in certain exceptional circumstances, including displacement by fire, flood or any other emergency, development, redevelopment or regeneration of an area by the housing authority, or exceptional medical or compassionate grounds. This can facilitate a local authority tenant being provided with alternative accommodation in circumstances where the dwelling they are living in is no longer habitable due to exceptional circumstances. I have no plans to review the policy in this area at this time.
