Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
399. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Donegal receives basic supplementary welfare allowance in view of the fact that they have satisfied the habitual residence condition; and the date on which he will receive payment. [3998/13]
View answer432. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has been refused welfare allowance under the habitual residence condition. [4166/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 432 together.
The habitual residence condition (HRC) applies to all claimants for certain social welfare payments, including supplementary welfare allowance (SWA), regardless of nationality. The SWA scheme is the ‘safety net’ within the overall social welfare system in that it provides a basic income support payment to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the SWA scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. However, at any time, SWA cannot be viewed as a temporary or interim means of income support available independently of the habitual residence condition. Having regard to all of the circumstances in this case, the person concerned was refused SWA as he did not satisfy the conditions relating to habitual residence. This decision was upheld by the independent Appeals Office.
