Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
603. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide information (details supplied) in relation to a social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52759/21]
View answerThe supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Statistics are not maintained on the average waiting times for Basic SWA payments to be processed in Co Kerry. Nationally, the average time to award for Basic SWA in September was one week, and 93% of claims were awarded within one week.
Table 1 below shows the number of Basic SWA recipients in Co Kerry at the end of each year for period 2018-2020 and at the end of September 2021.
It should be noted that other supports under the SWA scheme can consist of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: Basic SWA recipients in Co Kerry
|
2018 (Recipient Numbers at year end) |
2019 (Recipient Numbers at year end) |
2020 (Recipient Numbers at year end) |
2021 (Recipient Numbers at end of September) |
|
|
Basic SWA |
355 |
394 |
255 |
259 |
