Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
2. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made under the humanitarian aid scheme for uninsured householders in 2023, particularly on flooding, segmented by county; and the number of successful and unsuccessful applications, in tabular form, with the total amount issued. [18232/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
