Exceptional Needs Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Questions (259)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

259. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the budget that has been allocated for exceptional needs payments in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38209/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

Under 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. The Government has provided €30.3 million for the scheme in 2016.

The ENP scheme is demand led and provides assistance to those with exceptional needs 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.