The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my department, was activated in November 2024 to assist householders affected by Storm Bert and again in January 2025 to assist householders affected by Storm Éowyn.
The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is to provide financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.
In the aftermath of Storm Bert, there were six Stage 2 Humanitarian Assistance Scheme payments made. Due to low numbers and the potential identification of individual applicants, on statistical disclosure grounds, my department is unable to provide a breakdown by county.
Again, due to the low numbers of Stage 2 payments in some counties relating to Storm Éowyn, and the potential identification of individual applicants, my department is unable to provide a full breakdown of the number of Stage 2 payments by county. However, Table 1 shows the number of Stage 2 payments made for those counties with five or more Storm Éowyn related payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1- Stage 2 Humanitarian Assistance Scheme Payments made in relation to Storm Éowyn broken down by county.
|
County
|
No of payments
|
|
Galway
|
14
|
|
Leitrim
|
8
|
|
Mayo
|
5
|
|
Roscommon
|
5
|
|
Sligo
|
5
|
|
Other
|
26
|
|
Grand Total
|
63
|