Government confirms no limit on compensation cap for households – McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has welcomed confirmation from the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection Kevin Humphreys that the Government has not set a limit on the compensation which will be made available to households in receipt of a social welfare payment under its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS). Deputy McGrath sought the information following the confusion which continues to exist in many areas affected by flooding with respect to the compensation caps to be imposed on families:
“I certainly welcome the news that the Government has not set a limit to the amount that can be paid to an individual household under the HAS.
I also welcome the fact that a non-social welfare recipient family of two adults and two children with an income of up to €70,000 or less will also receive assistance under this Scheme with assurances that they will be eligible for 100% of the amount allowable in respect of their application.
I am very concerned however that the implementation of the Scheme is still subject to an income test which is not clearly spelt out other than the example of the family on €70,000 which I have alluded too.
There is also the matter of the challenges being faced by community and voluntary sector groups who appear to be in a no man’s land with respect to both compensation Schemes announced so far.
In any event I will be calling on the Minister and the Minister Burton to increase the number of staff assigned to process the applications for compensation as a matter of urgency,” concluded Deputy McGrath.
