Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 September 2020
185. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial assistance available to persons affected by severe flooding in the Clifden area of County Galway on 1 and 2 September 2020; the way in which such supports can be accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22717/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, my Department has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as flooding under the humanitarian assistance scheme.
The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to provide income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.
The scheme is available to provide support to householders following the recent flooding event in Clifden. The Community Welfare Service officer is currently engaging with 8 families who have been forced to leave their homes by the recent flooding. Payments have been made to meet immediate needs, such as clothing and cost of home heating oil to dry out the properties.
Emergency income support payments to cover essential items such as food, clothing and personal items are issued quickly in the immediate aftermath of the weather event. Supports towards the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items may take longer as it is not until the flood water abates and houses dry out that the full extent of the damage to homes becomes known. The longer term supports can cover remedial works such as plastering, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting and it can take several months before this stage of the response is completed.
If any person who has been affected has not already come forward, they should contact the Community Welfare Service at the Intreo Centre in Clifden.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
