Staff from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will be available from early this morning (Wednesday, 3 January) to support householders in areas affected by Storm Eleanor.

The Department’s Community Welfare Services staff will engage with the relevant local authorities and will quickly assess the level of service required across the country, particularly in the Galway area.

This interagency response ensures that supports will be provided to those affected as swiftly as possible. As the clean-up operations begin, financial supports will be made available to householders affected and the Humanitarian Assistance scheme activated as necessary.

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty TD has said, “We are on standby to help anyone whose homes may have been affected by today’s flooding. Staff from the Department will be available to support those in the affected areas and we are ready to activate the HAID at any time should residential properties have been damaged from extreme weather today. I would urge families and individuals in need of assistance to contact their local Intreo Centre where our Community Welfare Service Teams are available to assist them.”