Welcome relief for Mayo households affected by Storm Eowyn

Mayo TD Paul Lawless has welcomed the Government’s decision to reimburse households forced into hotel accommodation due to prolonged power outages following Storm Eowyn.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced that the Department of Social Protection has been directed to provide temporary hotel accommodation for vulnerable people left without power and water for eight days by Storm Éowyn.

Thousands of people in Mayo are still without electricity a week after Storm Eowyn left a trail of destruction leaving the majority of the country without power and running water.

While welcoming the announcement, Knock-based Aontú TD Paul Lawless demanded urgent clarity on how far the scheme goes and called for immediate action to ensure those in crisis can access relief now—not days from now.

“People have been shivering in their homes for seven days on the verge of hypothermia, unable to feed themselves. Let's not make them wait any longer. There are sick people whose life-sustaining machines require power, and families with young children who are cold, hungry, and in some cases have dangerous ESB wires in their gardens. These people need immediate help.”

READ: Mayo students affected by Storm Éowyn get important notice

While the reimbursement scheme is very welcome, Deputy Lawless says families must know exactly what they are entitled to. “Can everyone be affected by this? What level of reimbursement will they receive? Will it cover those who had no choice but to travel for accommodation? Will people who availed of hotel accommodation over the last week, before this announcement, availed of this? If people can access safe, warm shelter and be compensated, they need to know now—so that the most vulnerable can get the help they need without hesitation.”

Deputy Lawless is also calling for Intreo offices to stay open over the bank holiday weekend, with staff receiving overtime pay to process emergency vouchers and compensation.

“People are in crisis. They can’t wait until Tuesday. The Government must step up and ensure immediate, on-the-ground support for those left in limbo without power, heat, or food,” he said.

“I want to thank the people of Mayo and the west of Ireland for successfully lobbying the government on this move. The people forced this U-turn from the Government. Their lobbying over the past week made this happen. But it shouldn’t take public outcry to get basic support during a disaster. I will keep the pressure on until families have the full answers and the full help they need in this emergency.”