A Clare Government TD is seeking compensatory schemes for farmers and business owners who’ve lost revenue due to Storm Éowyn.
Over 1,500 homeowners hit by property damage as well as electricity and water outages have received payments from the State and suggestions have been made that those whose livelihoods have been affected should be similarly supported.
The latest Department of Social Protection Figures show a total of 1,613 homeowners have been supported under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme in the wake of Storm Éowyn.
The payments account for an overall payout of €316,000 averaging out to €195.91 per claim.
The scheme provides tested financial assistance to households affected by a severe weather event but doesn’t cover commercial, agricultural or business losses.
Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe insists those who’ve experienced losses in their line of work must be given a helping hand and he says he’ll raise the issue with his colleagues in Government this week.
The widespread power outages in the last fortnight have sparked a conversation around Ireland’s dependence on electricity as we move away from fossil fuels.
Scariff-based Independent MEP Michael McNamara has issued a call for building control regulations to be relaxed to allow people to retain or install a chimney so they have an alternative heat source in times of outages.
Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney believes there’s much misinformation around chimneys’ place in legislation and says anyone who says they’re prohibited is “totally wrong”.
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