Less than half of Laois claims after Storm Éowyn awarded

Less than half of claims made by Laois residents for humanitarian assistance in the wake of Storm Éowyn have been awarded, according to new figures. 

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by the Department of Social Protection through the local Community Welfare Services (CWS), was activated on Thursday 23 January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.

There have been 58 claims registered by Laois residents with the department in stage one and two of the scheme. There have been 24 claims awarded in stage one of the scheme, according to figures provided to Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy through a parliamentary question. 

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) is operated in three stages. The majority of payments made to people to date as a result of Storm Éowyn have been Stage one, to meet the additional cost of feeding their families in the immediate aftermath of the storm where people remained without power and/or water.  The scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event.

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Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said as of June 3, nationally 93,794 claims for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme have been registered and 55,672 stage one claims have been awarded, with over €13.6 million being paid in respect of Storm Éowyn related claims. 

The total number of claims received include 2,018 applications for stage two and stage three. 30 claims have been awarded in respect of stage two and three applications with just under €56,900 being paid in respect of these. Stages two and three of the scheme remain open and the Department continues to  accept applications.
"There are 20,053 stage one applicants, whose claims have been decided and have not been awarded a payment in respect of Storm Éowyn. A person may request a review of a decision and review requests are undertaken by a SWA Review Officer," explained the Minister. 

"The review process may lead to a fresh examination of the initial decision made or include further contact/engagement with the customer and/or a requirement for additional supporting information or evidence to be provided, in order to assist the Review Officer with their consideration of the review request reasons.

"As all decisions, positive and negative, can be reviewed upon request. Up to 3rd June 2025 6,825 review requests have been received. 6,780 review requests relate to stage one payments. 4,964 review requests have been finalised as of 3rd June 2025. 1,816 review requests remain to be decided. 

"I can advise the Deputy that in the majority of finalised review cases, the applicant has provided additional information/clarification on review which results in a payment being awarded.  Where a review has yet to be finalised, this is generally because further information or clarification is awaited from the applicant."