Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014
356. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of residents and tenants of certain locations in Cork city and county (details supplied) which were flooded in June 2012 have since received any funding out of the flood relief fund established. [8036/14]
View answerThe humanitarian assistance scheme was approved by Government in November 2009. The scheme, which is means tested, 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. Levels of payment depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household’s ability to meet these costs ensuring that the funding is appropriately targeted. Humanitarian assistance does not include risks that are covered by insurance policies or cover business or commercial losses.
In dealing with events of this nature the Department generally adopts a three stage approach as follows:
- Stage 1 is to provide emergency income support payments for food, clothing, personal items and temporary accommodation in the immediate aftermath of the event. A relatively small amount of financial assistance is generally provided initially but this will increase as the extent of the problems become clearer.
- Stage 2 generally involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items. It is not until the flood water abates and houses dry out that the full extent of the damage to homes will become known.
- Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support or works are required. It could take several months before this stage of response commences and this involves a cross Departmental/Agency response. Works carried out can include plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.
Following the June 2012 flooding, approximately 120 payments were made to affected householders in the Cork area to the value of some €150,000. Of these, 27 payments totalling €16,000 were made to persons living in the Blackpool area. There were no payments made in respect of tenants of Douglas Village Shopping Centre as the humanitarian assistance scheme does not cover business or commercial losses.
Any person experiencing hardship as a result of the severe weather conditions, should contact the Department’s local representative administering the supplementary welfare allowance scheme who may be able to offer assistance.
