Leitrim applicants for Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) still waiting after storm Éowyn

Many people in Leitrim have yet to receive any response from the Department of Social Protection in relation to their applications for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) after storm Éowyn last January. 

The issue came to light after a motion was made by Cllr Roisin Kenny asking for an explanation for the delay in dealing with these claims
and also if the applicants can be contacted so that "they can be reassured that they haven’t been forgotten about."

She said: "I've had several people tell me they have never received any correspondence whatsoever from the department about the HAS that was launched in February. I think it's ridiculous that people are still waiting and have had no word at all."

She said she was advised by Deputy Martin Kenny that there are approximately 300 applicants still awaiting a response from the department and then many of these are thought to hail from Leitrim. 

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She stated: "I want to give some kind of reassurance to those that are waiting because a lot of people have used money that they had put aside for car or home insurance. They have still heard nothing and received nothing for this length of time - I just think it's ridiculous."

Cllr Brendan Barry seconded the motion and said many people were "very frustrated and annoyed at the huge variants - one person may get nothing while another may get up to €600. I know people who applied and all filled out the same forms and were very similar households and there were huge variants. The whole thing is very haphazard; to be still going on in July is disappointing."

Cllr Enda McGloin also supported the motion saying it was a "rabbit-in-headlights scenario" and there were "such a vast amount of applications which would normally be dealt with by the community welfare officer but with so many, they had to move it up to Dublin. I know people whose original applications were lost and invoices were lost; it's a total mess and my hope is the department will review this and ensure a better streamlined system to deal with claims."

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He said that the "we have to learn from this and ensure any future humanitarian schemes from the department are more streamlined and efficient". 

Chair Cllr Gary Prior suggested writing to the department and said in terms of applications, "it seemed to depend on whoever's desk it landed on because the variations in payments was ridiculous."

He added: "I noticed if anyone appealed there was a standard; you just got €150 down the line."

It was decided that the department would be contacted regarding the issue.