The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme 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. The scheme is means tested and assistance is not provided for losses which are covered by insurance or for commercial and business losses. This Scheme is available to homeowners who have suffered damage in the flooding events in Laois and Offaly.
Financial support under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be initially targeted at the immediate needs of those who may have been directly impacted by the flooding (such as clothing, food) with further support available (financial support for household items and structural repair) as the clean-up operations begin.
Community Welfare Service staff have been available in the Community Centre, Wolfetown Court in Mountmellick since 9am. A similar service will be provided at this centre tomorrow morning from 9am.
A Community Welfare Service clinic was provided this afternoon in the Maldron Hotel in Portlaoise where some families are being temporarily accommodated.
The Community Welfare Service remains available in the Department’s office in Portlaoise, Government Buildings, Abbeyleix Road.
Staff are continuing to engage with the local authority and the situation will be monitored tomorrow to determine the level of service that will be required throughout the day including that over the weekend.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is open to all including self-employed people. In dealing with emergency events of this nature, the Department adopts a three stage approach as follows:
· Stage 1 is to provide emergency income support payments (food, clothing and personal items) in the immediate aftermath of the event. These payments are made immediately to the families and individuals affected.
· 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 and we can begin to make these payments to the people affected.
· Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support or works are required. It could take some time 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.
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme – Payments Update:
Date | Stage 1 – Payments Processed | Stage 2 – Payments Processed & Paid. | Stage 2 – Payments Pending | Stage 3 – Payments Pending |
23/11 | 39 | | | |
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