Paul Kehoe
Ceist:200. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if grant assistance is available for a facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3709/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 25 January 2018
Ceisteanna (200)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. My Department has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as flooding.
The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to prevent hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair. Since summer 2017 the scheme has provided financial support to households following flooding in counties Donegal, Laois and most recently in Galway.
The scheme does not provide assistance towards the funding of a generator in the event of a power loss due to severe weather.
I would suggest that the Deputy follows up with the appropriate authority responsible for funding the sheltered living housing facility.