Thousands of Irish homeowners will be affected by damage due to Storm Eowyn as it passes through the country. A status red wind warning is in place for the entire island as some 715,000 homes, businesses and farms have been left without power amid ‘unprecedented and extensive’ damage. Met Eireann have also said that a wind speed of 183km/h brought by the storm has been recorded in Ireland, the fastest since records began.
On Friday morning, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by Storm Eowyn . A statement from the department reads: ‘The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.’ The scheme provides Irish households who have been affected by a severe weather event, such as a storm, with income-tested financial assistance and it is administered by the Community Welfare Service.
The Community Welfare Service provides additional financial support to people on a low income or to those getting a social welfare payment, but it can also support people in particular hardship or during an emergency. The scheme does not provide full compensation for damage but rather aims to lighten the hardship. It may cover emergency supp.
