Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
938. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to implement a specific emergency social protection payment for international students that are not eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment and do not have a PPSN or are not currently able to find work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7342/20]
View answerThe supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme offers a safety net within the overall social welfare system by providing assistance to those whose means are insufficient to meet their own needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance to those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. There are several payments within the scheme, including exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).
Payments can be made to help with the cost of any exceptional needs and urgent needs which a person cannot reasonably be expected to meet from their income. The habitual residence condition does not apply to ENPs and UNPs. Decisions on such payments are made 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.
International students who are not eligible for other Department schemes can receive support under the ENP and UNP schemes. This support can include financial assistance to meet the cost of food and other essential items needed to prevent hardship. If the Deputy is aware of specific cases where difficulties have arisen, then she should bring these to the attention of the Department.
It is necessary to have a PPS number in order to access the Department's payments. As part of the response to the Covid 19 pandemic, the Department has introduced a simplified postal PPSN registration process. Information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/12e6de-get-a-personal-public-service-pps-number/
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
