Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
A Kerry TD has condemned the government for failing to adequately support householders, businesses and farmers affected by Storm Éowyn in a manner that is fair, equitable and timely.
Deputy Pa Daly said that the government had backtracked on promises made, with two thirds of applications to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme rejected.
He added that many of those worst affected reported that applications for compensation for essential food and personal items were arbitrarily rejected without explanation and he described as “blatantly insufficient” the fact that the scheme had paid out just €10.5 million to date.
“In late January, Storm Éowyn wreaked unprecedented havoc on transport, energy, water, telecommunications and internet infrastructure in areas across the state.
“Over two months on the government has failed to adequately support householders, businesses and farmers affected in a fair, equitable and timely manner,” the Kerry Sinn Fein D stated.
He accused the government of turning its back on communities and leaving many households, farmers and businesses high and dry.
“Many of those worst affected reported that their applications for compensation through the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme for essential food and personal items were arbitrarily rejected without explanation,” he said.
Just 45,744 of the 133,774 applications made have been successful.
”People were encouraged to apply for the scheme, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin assuring the public that the scheme was open to those in need.
“These promises were nothing more than empty words and, despite calls from the opposition, the scheme was never once extended to businesses or farms,” Deputy Daly stated.
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