Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
526. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for an exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9511/22]
View answerThe purpose of the Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
The ENP scheme is demand led and 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 in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Applications for ENPs are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an ENP for a house kit-out. The claim was disallowed on the basis the person’s means were in excess of the prescribed limit for a person of her circumstances and she had sufficient means to meet her need. The person’s net income, derived from her Maternity Benefit payment and wages from her employer, was €311.53 over the Supplementary Welfare Allowance weekly rate for her family composition.
A decision letter dated 29/10/2021 issued to the person concerned advising her of the outcome of her application and affording her the option of seeking a review of the Designated Person’s decision.
Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, ENPs and UNPs, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
Following a request from the person concerned a review of the decision was undertaken and the original decision was upheld. The person concerned was advised of the outcome in writing on 16/12/2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
