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Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Questions (153, 194)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

153. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when compensation funds will be made available to flood victims in County Limerick; the way in which they must be secured, that is, if an application form is required; from where the form can be obtained; the range of items covered under the compensation, that is, homes, house contents, vehicles and so on; the reason there has been a delay in making this funding available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10534/14]

View answer

Derek Nolan

Question:

194. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the humanitarian supports available from her Department to the victims of the recent floods; the supports available to fishermen affected by the bad weather; the methods used for communicating information on these supports and means for accessing them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10722/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 194 together.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, the Department of Social Protection (DSP) has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as the recent severe weather conditions under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA).

A 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. Motor vehicles are not covered under the scheme. Levels of payment under the scheme 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 cover risks that are covered by insurance policies or cover business or commercial losses.

Guidelines have been provided to officers responsible for administering the humanitarian assistance scheme as to what type of goods and appliances are generally covered by the scheme and what replacement value should typically be attributable to each item, as set out in the tabular statement below. This list is not exhaustive and is intended as a guide only.

In dealing with events of this nature the DSP 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. Payments are made immediately mainly in respect of food, clothing, toiletries and accommodation.

- 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. Payments under this phase are normally processed within 2 to 3 working days of the receipt of a valid application and supporting documentation. In Limerick, payments are currently issuing under this phase in respect of white goods, furniture, etc. with payments ranging from €2,000 to €4,000.

- 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. The type of work carried out can include plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring, painting etc. Payments under this phase will generally take longer to process as homeowners establish the cost of repair by securing builders’ estimates and the extent of the loss is verified, usually by a loss assessor, in cases where significant amounts are claimed.

To date, over €213,000 in respect of over 370 applications has been paid under the humanitarian assistance scheme to people in Co. Limerick.

Department officials are liaising with local authorities and other agencies to ensure supports are provided to those affected by the recent flooding as swiftly as possible. Emergency clinics and on-call services have been established in a number of affected areas and officials have made home visits to persons identified as requiring this level of support. The Department has utilised social media, namely Twitter, to further publicise the humanitarian assistance scheme. The network of Citizens Information Centres (CICs), which operate from 268 locations nationwide, provide support in publicising DSP supports, ensuring that the public have access to information and advice on the scheme, and also assistance in the completion of application forms.

Applications for funding under the humanitarian assistance scheme are available, along with further detail on the scheme, on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Humanitarian-Assistance-Scheme.aspx. Application forms are also available at local offices responsible for administering SWA and through the network of CICs.

In relation to supports for fishermen, in many instances persons operating fishing vessels will be self-employed workers. Self-employed workers can apply for the means-tested jobseeker’s allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in levels of work. To qualify for jobseeker’s allowance, a self-employed person must satisfy all of the scheme conditions, including the requirement to be available for and genuinely seeking full-time work. In general, the means applying to their claim will take account of the level of earnings in the last twelve months in determining their expected income for the following year and account is taken of any exceptional circumstances, such as damage to lobster pots etc caused by the recent bad weather, so as to ensure that the assessment accurately reflects the current situation.

Where persons, being employees on fishing vessels as opposed to self-employed workers, suffer losses of employment they may claim jobseeker’s benefit or allowance subject to normal scheme criteria, which includes being available for and genuinely seeking full-time work.

In addition, persons who have no income may be entitled to a basic weekly SWA payment, for example, while they are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment, subject to meeting certain criteria of the SWA scheme.

Any person who is experiencing hardship as a result of the recent weather events should contact the Department’s local representative administering SWA who may be able to offer assistance.

Tabular Statement - Humanitarian Assistance Essential Goods Guideline

Household Item

Recommended Amount Payable

Household Item

Recommended Amount Payable

Kitchen

Miscellaneous Items

Cooker: Electric

 €310

Cutlery Set

 €25

Cooker: Gas

 €310

Crockery Set 4/Crockery Set 6

 €25/€35

Fridge: Single

 €140

Electric Iron

 €25

Fridge/Freezer

 €250

Electric Kettle

 €25

Kitchen Chair

 €40

Frying Pan

 €13

Kitchen Table

 €120

Ironing Board

 €20

Microwave

 €80

Mop and Handle

 €15

Table & 4 Chairs

 €260

Saucepan Set

 €36

Table & 6 Chairs

 €360

Sweeping Brush

 €15

Tumble Drier

 €200

Tea Pot

 €11

Washing Machine

 €250

Tea Set

 €40

Toaster

 €20

Towels

 €22

Sitting Room

Coffee Table

 €60

Clothing

Rug

 €50

Coat/Jacket

 €40

Suite of Furniture

 €700

Dressing Gown (Adult/Child)

 €15

Jeans/Trousers/Skirt

 €20

Bedroom

Jumper

 €25

Beds (inc Mattress): Bunks

 €250

Night Dress (Adult/Child)

 €10

Beds (inc Mattress): Cots

 €100

Pyjamas (Adult)

 €12

Beds (inc Mattress): Double

 €180

Pyjamas (Child)

 €8

Beds (inc Mattress): Single

 €120

Runners /Shoes

 €30

Cot Bedding

 €30

Shirt

 €15

Drawer Chest (3)

 €90

Slippers (Adult)

 € 8

Drawer Chest (6)

 €100

Slippers (Child)

 €5

Duvet - Double

 €30

Socks/Underwear (Adult)

 €20

Duvet - Single

 €25

Socks/Underwear (Child)

 €10

Duvet Cover - double inc. pc.

 €20

Duvet Cover - single inc. pc.

 €15

General House Items

Locker

 €50

Buggy (Double)

 €150

Mattress Cot

 €50

Buggy/Pram

 €100

Mattress Double

 €110

Curtain: Living Room

 €75

Mattress Single

 €60

Curtains: Bedroom

 €50

Pillows

 €5

Curtains : Sliding Doors

 €90

Sheets - double

 €15

Electric Oil Heater

 €80

Sheets - single

 €12

Fire Guard

 €40

Two pillow case

 €5

Floor Covering per m: Bedroom

 €10

Wardrobe 2 Door

 €150

Floor Covering per m : Kitchen Area

 €10

Wardrobe 3 Door

 €230

Floor Covering per m : Living Area

 €10

Hoover

 €100

Smoke Alarm

 €10

Stair Gate

 €40

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