Claims of up to €240m due to damage caused by Storm Éowyn

Damage to homes, businesses and vehicles by Storm Éowyn is set to result in insurance claims of up to €240 million.

Figures supplied to the Department of Finance show that more than 27,000 claims have been reported in the aftermath of one of the most destructive storms in the history of the State.

These figures indicate that damage to households will total almost €112m, while commercial claims will run to just under €122m.

This latest survey of the impact of the storm shows there were 1,649 motoring claims following damages of €6.7m arising from the storm which had gusts of up to 183km/h.

There has also been confirmation that the Department of Social Protection has closed the first phase of the humanitarian fund established to assist those worst hit by the storm.

The move has been criticised by Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice who said people in the midlands, west and northwest have had the rug pulled from under them.

Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín criticised the inconsistencies in the payments made through the humanitarian fund.

He revealed the Department of Social Protection gave one woman just €15 to cover the costs associated with the loss of €200 worth of food in her freezer.

“While others received full and warranted payouts, more have been told ‘no’, despite the application form reading identically,” he said.

Sinn Féin TD for Galway East, Louis O’Hara, claimed the large number of applications refused was deeply unfair.

The department said 62,834 claims were made to this fund which covered food and emergency accommodation costs.

To date 22,800 applications have been successful and the department has paid out more than €5.2m, and the average payment was €228.96.

Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said anyone who did not receive a payment can still seek a review if they provide as much information as possible of the period when they were without electricity.

Some 768,000 were left without electricity following the storm that hit on the night of 23 January, and it took until 12 February before power was restored to all homes.