Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has hit out at what he has described as 'the mass refusals' of applications for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme that were made by people who were left without electricity for extended periods during Storm Éowyn.
Deputy Carthy said that there has been inconsistency in awarding of payments and that government assurances of financial support for those who were out-of-pocket in the aftermath of the storm must be fulfilled. He described the refusal of applications as 'disgraceful' and the local TD is encouraging everyone who received a refusal letter to appeal the decision.
Deputy Carthy said in some parts of the country applicants who had claimed for loss of food received flat rate payments being issued based on the size of households. However it appears that many people in Cavan Monaghan have had similar applications refused.
The local TD said letters received this week suggest that loss of food is not covered under the scheme, or that individuals must specify that they had to spend money on eating out rather than just stating that they lost the contents of their fridge or freezer. The Sinn Fein TD says this is disgraceful and the government must keep their word.
