Payments of €226,000 issued after Storm Éowyn
Joan Mulvey (93) from Karol Avenue, Elphin pictured as she waited for services to return in the wake of Storm Éowyn.
A total of 962 humanitarian assistance payments, amounting to over €226,000, have been made to householders in County Roscommon following Storm Éowyn.
The payments were made up to the end of February 2025. A total of 11,999 claims were awarded nationwide during this time with a total value of more than €2.56 million.
The figures were provided by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Dara Calleary in response to a parliamentary question submitted by Roscommon-Galway Fianna Fáil Deputy, Martin Daly.
Deputy Daly had asked Minister Calleary what humanitarian assistance was available to those impacted by Storm Éowyn in Roscommon.
The Minister explained that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme was the term used to describe urgent and exceptional needs payments made via the Community Welfare Service to affected households in the period immediately after an emergency event such as a storm or serious flood.
He said his first act as Minister, following his appointment, was to activate the scheme on January 23rd to assist householders across the country ahead of the arrival of Storm Éowyn.
“The Community Welfare Service responded immediately preparing for the expected inflow of claims. The staff worked through weekends and nights to provide assistance. I wish to thank them and commend them and their colleagues in local authorities for their public service. It was exemplary and helped thousands of people access temporary accommodation and other supports,” he said.
Minister Calleary said that humanitarian assistance payments were generally made under three stages. He said Stage 1 payments were made to households in the immediate aftermath of severe weather events for items such as essential food and clothing while payments are available under Stage 2 for the replacement of white goods and basic furniture.
Under Stage 3, payments may also be made to repair damage to homes. Unlike Stage 1 payments, he said Stage 2 and Stage 3 payments were subject to income tests.
