Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
293. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria that will be applied for the awarding of an exceptional needs payments in respect of funeral or burial costs; and the sum of money provided for such purpose. [44657/13]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. It is expected that the estimated expenditure for ENPs in 2013 will be in excess of €35 million.
Application can be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses. There is no automatic entitlement to an ENP payment. ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. In 2013 to date, approximately 2,700 payments have been made in respect of funerals and burials at a cost of €3.6 million, at an average payment of over €1,300.
In determining an entitlement to an ENP for funeral expenses the Department official will take into account the circumstances of the individual applicant and that of the deceased person including any money, property, insurance policies, etc.
Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an ENP under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme should contact the local officials administering the scheme.
