The Government has set up a Humanitarian Assistance Scheme for Donegal flood victims.
Minister Regina Doherty’s office has confirmed it is putting together a package to aid those people across Inishowen and elsewhere who were affected by the awful floods which struck the county this week.
Government Minister Joe McHugh has welcomed a financial assistance scheme for victims of the Donegal flood.
“My Government colleague Regina Doherty and The Department of Social Protection is working to provide immediate financial supports to families and individuals affected by the severe weather and flooding in Donegal,” said Minister McHugh.
“Colleagues across Government have been working hard since the early hours of Wednesday to ensure that all assistance is made available to the people of north Donegal and in particular Inishowen.
“I am grateful to Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty and her officials who have today activated its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.”
Financial support under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be initially targeted at the immediate needs of those who may have been directly impacted by the flooding ( such as clothing, food) with further support available (financial support for household items and structural repair) as the clean-up operations begin.
People and families in need of assistance are being advised to visit the local Intreo Centre where our Community Welfare Service Teams are waiting to assist them.
To ensure we can quickly and effectively meet the needs of those who need our help, the Department has redeployed staff to the offices serving the worst affected areas, notably the Inishowen Peninsula.
We are asking those in need of supports to visit our office however for those unable to travel to our offices they can contact Buncrana Intreo office on (074) 9364600 or Ballybofey Intreo on (074) 9130490.
Staff from the Department will be on the ground today in Donegal to assist in the coordinated Government response. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Department of Social Protection’s local Community Welfare Service is in contact with the Local Authority.
This interagency response ensures that supports are provided to those affected as swiftly as possible.
Minister McHugh is continuing visits today to homes, farmers and businesses affected by the floods. He was in Clonmany and Carndonagh earlier today with Minister Kevin Boxer Moran.