Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies. My Department provides assistance to eligible households in the immediate aftermath of emergency weather events under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide income- tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and because of lack of insurance are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.

The income test for the scheme is more generous than that applied under means tested social welfare payments in general. The basic principle of the income test is that individuals and families with average levels of income will qualify for assistance. This includes non-social welfare recipients.

In October 2023, Government approved an additional €3 million in funding for the scheme. Income limit levels for the scheme were also increased on October 2023 from:

• €30,000 to €50,000 for a single person;
• €50,000 to €90,000 for a couple; and
• €10,000 to €15,000 per dependent child.

During 2023, some 1,100 payments have been made nationally to members of the public under the scheme, with a provisional total expenditure of just over €1.90 million. Table 1 in the tabular statement attached to this reply shows the number of householders by county that received payments under the scheme in 2023.

If any household affected by the severe weather events in 2023 needs to access these supports, they can contact the Community Welfare Service by phoning 0818 60 70 80.

Tabular Statement

Table 1 - Humanitarian Assistance Scheme by County for 2023

County	Number of Householders	Number of Payments	Expenditure
CARLOW	1	1	€350
CORK	460	856	€1,608,149
DONEGAL	3	5	€10,170
DUBLIN	4	4	€5,982
GALWAY	33	61	€47,579
KERRY	2	2	€6,973
LEITRIM	3	6	€2,060
LIMERICK	1	1	€849
LOUTH	32	88	€109,053
MAYO	3	4	€4,639
MEATH	18	21	€27,524
OFFALY	1	5	€4,380
TIPPERARY	1	2	€5,675
WATERFORD	14	15	€24,950
WEXFORD	6	23	€104,326
Total	582	1,094	€1,962,659*

* These figures represent a snapshot of claims as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. Therefore, these figures vary slightly from the provisional figure of €1.90 million.