DSP response to severe weather flooding in Donegal 24th August 2017

The Department of Social Protection is working to provide immediate financial supports to families and individuals affected by the severe weather and flooding in Donegal.

Commenting on the impact of the flooding on the people of Donegal Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty has said that “when events like this occur the state needs to help in any and every way we can. The stresses families are under is not to be underestimated and the Department will do everything we can to relieve that stress and support the people of Donegal”

The Department has activated its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair. (The scheme is means tested and assistance is not provided for losses which are covered by insurance or for commercial and business losses.)

Financial support under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be initially targeted at the immediate needs of those who may have been directly impacted by the flooding ( such as clothing, food) with further support available (financial support for household items and structural repair) as the clean-up operations begin.

People and families in need of assistance are being advised to visit the local Intreo Centre where our Community Welfare Service Teams are waiting to assist them. To ensure we can quickly and effectively meet the needs of those who need our help, the Department has redeployed staff to the offices serving the worst affected areas, notably the Inishowen Peninsula.

We are asking those in need of supports to visit our office however for those unable to travel to our offices they can contact Buncrana Intreo Centre on (074) 9364600 or Ballybofey CWS Office on (074) 9131154.

Staff from the Department will be on the ground today in Donegal to assist in the coordinated Government response. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Department of Social Protection’s local Community Welfare Service is in contact with the Local Authority. This interagency response ensures that supports are provided to those affected as swiftly as possible.

The Department we will be providing updates throughout the day and coming days on our Twitter - @welfare_ie

ENDS