Minister Dara Calleary assures householders of continued support for those affected by Storm Éowyn

• Humanitarian Assistance Support available for homeowners affected by Storm Éowyn
• financial support available to people who do not have any power or water supply
• Community Welfare officers are available nationwide to assist
• a total of €316,000 has been paid to date for 1,613 claims

The Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has assured homeowners of the continued commitment of the department to support all houseowners affected by Storm Éowyn, through the Humanitarian Assistance Support Scheme.

The Humanitarian Assistance emergency financial payment is available to homeowners in the immediate aftermath of a severe weather event. It is open to homeowners in affected areas who do not have any power or water supply and includes support to pay for alternative accommodation if necessary.

In dealing with emergency events the department generally adopts a three-stage approach:

Stage 1 provides emergency support payments for food, clothing and personal items in the immediate aftermath of the event. These payments are not income tested and are generally for essential food and clothing based on the immediate need of impacted individuals.

Support for Alternative Accommodation (which is not income tested)

Non-income tested support is available under Stage 1 of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme for alternative accommodation costs.

1. Persons without power who have sourced alternative accommodation, that is, hotel, B&B.

Financial support with the cost of the bed and breakfast element of the accommodation is available through HAS. The person will be asked to provide confirmation of the booking/receipt.

2. Persons without power who have yet to source alternative accommodation, that is, hotel, B&B.

Financial support with the cost of the bed and breakfast element of the accommodation is available through HAS. The person will need to book/arrange the accommodation and to provide confirmation of the booking/receipt.

3. Persons who sourced and paid for alternative accommodation for a period when they were without power but have since returned home.

Financial support with the cost of the bed and breakfast element of the accommodation is available through HAS. The person will be asked to provide confirmation of the booking/ receipt.

Note: The level of support provided will reflect reasonable rates based on local cost availability.

Financial support with the cost of the bed and breakfast element of the accommodation will be considered. Applications for support with the cost of food/meals will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Support for Replacement of Goods and Longer-term Financial Support

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme can also provide support for replacement of goods and more extensive longer-term support under the following different stages.

Stage 2 involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items.

Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support is required, including plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.

Support is also available for the replacement of white goods and basic furniture and to repair damage to homes. Income limits for stage 2 and 3 of these supports are: €50,000 for a single person; €90,000 for a couple and €15,000 per dependent child.

Reduced or tapered level of support may be provided in cases where a household‘s income is above these limits. The level of payment depends on how severe the damage is and a person’s ability to meet these costs.

The Community Welfare Service is working closely with the local authorities and Community Welfare Officers are visiting people in their homes where necessary to provide support.

If any homeowner affected by severe weather needs to access these supports, our emergency Community Welfare Service contact details are available here: Customer Notices.

Community Welfare Service emergency contact details over this weekend

Community Welfare Services staff will be available, if and as required, over the weekend and the service can be contacted at:

• phone: 0818 60 70 80 from 10am to 4.30pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday (this phoneline is for Humanitarian Assistance Scheme emergencies only)
• outside of these hours please email HAS@welfare.ie - all emails are monitored

Further information on the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available at: gov.ie - Humanitarian Assistance.