Background information

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is used to give financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events. The amount of funding provided is income-tested and depends on the level of damage and the household’s ability to meet these costs. Due to recent storms and extreme weather events the Government has allocated an additional €3 million to the scheme and increased the income limits.

Content of measure

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.

A total of €13 million is available to support households effected by extreme weather events. The income limits for the scheme are:

• €30,000 to €50,000 for a single person;
• €50,000 to €90,000 for a couple;
• €10,000 to €15,000 per dependent child.

Where a family has a household income over the income limit, a reduced or tapered level of support may be provided.

The scheme does not cover risks that are already covered by insurance policies or cover business or commercial losses. It provides targeted assistance to those whose homes are affected.

Use of measure

The scheme was activated on the 19 October to support households in Cork City and County and West Waterford, including Cork City, Midleton, Youghal, Castletownbere, Mallow, Tallow and Dungarvan and other affected areas. A total of 223 payments amounting to €147,260 was made to people in these areas.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Other groups of citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Local / regional government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement by social partners in the designing of the measure.

Views and reactions

No available information.

Sources

• 24 October 2023: Minister Humphreys secures additional funding for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme and increases to the income limits (www.gov.ie)
• 13 November 2023: Minister Humphreys confirms that Humanitarian Assistance is available to householders affected by flooding in Galway (www.gov.ie)