The Minister for Social Protection has confirmed that Humanitarian Assistance is available to support properties impacted by Storm Fergus and the tornado in Leitrim.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support for homes that are damaged by flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.

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The scheme's income limits are raised by:

• €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

In dealing with emergency events the department generally adopts a three-stage approach as follows:

Stage 1 provides emergency income support payments (food/clothing/personal items) in the immediate aftermath of the event.

Stage 2 involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items.

Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support is required, including plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.