Overhaul needed of extreme weather event payment, says Ó Muírí

Fine Gael TD Naoise Ó Muírí has said victims of extreme weather events deserve better, and that an overhaul of the emergency payment system is needed.

The Fine Gael TD said that a non-means tested emergency response payment for victims of extreme weather events is at risk of “failing taxpayers and the people the scheme is designed to protect.”

The Dublin Bay North TD, who serves as the chair of the Oireachtas’ committee on climate, said that January’s Storm Chanda should serve as a wake-up call.

January’s storm caused flooding on both the North and Southside of Dublin, with Clongriffin being hit in the storm; apartment residents saw their car parks flooded by the Mayne River.

At present, the emergency response payment provides short-term financial support to people whose homes have been damaged by flooding or other severe weather events and aren’t able to meet the costs for essential needs, but per Ó Muirí, the scheme is in need of an overhaul.

Stage 1 of the scheme gives payments for immediate needs such as food, clothing and bedding with no income test applied.

Ó Muirí sought feedback from the Department of Social Protection on stage 1 of the scheme to ensure that those in apartments in Clongriffin were adequately supported.

The answer that Ó Muirí received, however, did not satisfy him.

The Department of Social Protection said that it does not collate claims data by address and was not able to provide feedback.

“This is a serious oversight, particularly as applicant address is part of the stage 1 payment application form.”

“Right now, the Department cannot look back after the event and tell if the support provided is reaching the right homes and if it is adequate to meet victim needs” Ó Muirí said.

“As adverse weather events become more common, the government must know exactly where the money goes. Without clear rules around geographic verification, there is also an increased risk of fraudulent claims from others who may not have suffered in the event,” the Northside Fine Gael TD Said.

Ó Muirí said that his government colleagues must reform the stage 1 emergency response payment process to hold address data so it can “ensure that help reaches those in genuine need.”