MANY PARTS OF the country were damaged by flooding in 2015 and early 2016.

Flooding in Fermoy, Co Cork in January Anthony O'Brien Anthony O'Brien

In December of last year, the Department of Social Protection activated its humanitarian assistance scheme, administered by the local Community Welfare Service, to assist households affected by flooding following the severe weather conditions.

Since then, more than 500 households have received financial support – with close to €900,000 being paid out to date. Further claims are currently being processed.

The below table gives a breakdown of payments with details given for counties with 20 or more cases:

Oireachtas.ie Oireachtas.ie

Speaking in the Dáil recently, junior minister at the department Kevin Humphreys said:

The scheme is demand-led and there can be a time lag between the flooding event and actual claims for longer term financial support to cover works such as plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.

He added that the department is continuing to provide assistance towards structural works to “restore homes to a habitable condition”.

Read: More flooding expected for Cork after weekend rain left streets underwater

Read: A group set up to plan flood defences didn’t meet for four years

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