Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2015
25. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that front-line clerical officers in social welfare offices are qualified to make emergency needs payments to the most vulnerable in society; the specific training given to staff who are responsible for making decisions to assist them in acting as community welfare officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4771/15]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department of Social Protection 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. The Government has provided €27.9 million for the scheme in 2015. An ENP is a means tested payment 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.
Clerical officers do not make decisions in relation to applications for ENPs. The assessment of need and the decision on any such claim is reserved to a Designated Person, formerly referred to as Community Welfare Officer. In some offices, clerical officers provide administrative support to the Designated Person in the processing of applications for ENPs.
This administrative support would include:
- providing customers with information at reception or in response to telephone queries.
- providing customers with application packs to facilitate claim.
- preparation of applicant file.
- verification of applicant income on the Department’s payment system.
- liaising with the Designated Person where the customer indicates an urgent response is required.
