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Social Welfare Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (1058, 1059)

Niall Collins

Question:

1058. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of supplementary welfare allowance applications that were made in Limerick for 2022 to 1 April 2022; the number that were awarded a payment; the value of same; the number that were refused; the number under appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20483/22]

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Niall Collins

Question:

1059. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person on low income who is not in receipt of any social protection support income and payments can make an application for the supplementary welfare allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20484/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1058 and 1059 together.

The 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.  Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs). 

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. 

Rent supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.  The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Under the SWA scheme, a supplement can be awarded to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.  In addition, officers can make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.  Decisions on ENPs and SWA supplements 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.

Statistics are maintained on the number of applications awarded under the SWA scheme.  Statistics are not maintained on the number of applications received or refused, including over the period January/February/March 2022.  My Department is currently compiling more extensive statistics in relation the number of applications made to the SWA schemes in 2022.

As expenditure on the Basic SWA and supplement schemes is reported on an annualised basis, the amounts paid out for the months in question are not available.

Determinations made by Designated Persons in relation to claims for Basic SWA and all the supplements can be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.  Statistics on appeals for the Basic SWA and supplement schemes are not available on a county basis.  Determinations made on ENP/UNP claims can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer.  There were no review requests received for UNPs in Co. Limerick for January to March 2022.

Table 1 shows the number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients in Co. Limerick at end of January, February, and March 2022.

Table 2 shows the number and total expenditure for ENPs and UNPs paid in Co. Limerick for

January, February, and March 2022.

Table 3 shows the number of review requests received and the outcomes for ENPs in Co. Limerick for January, February, and March 2022.

I would encourage any person, including persons on low incomes, who consider that they may have an entitlement to a payment under the SWA scheme to contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre.  There is a national Income Support Helpline in place - 0818-800024 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.   

Table 1 - The number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients in Co. Limerick at end of January, February, and March 2022.

Month (end of)     

Basic SWA    

Rent Supplement      

Other Supplements      

January    

363

267

480

February   

366

262

471

March      

680

247

465

Table 2 - The number and total expenditure for ENPs and UNPs paid in Co. Limerick for January, February, and March 2022.

Month

No. of ENPs

ENP expenditure

No. of UNPs

UNP expenditure

January

192

€150,823

0

0

February

210

€212,972

5

€8,830

March

219

€141,899

1

€1,000

Total

621

€505,694

6

€9,830

Note: These figures are taken from the Department’s ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs/UNPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid.  Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.  

Table 3 - The number of review requests received and the outcomes for ENPs in Co. Limerick for January, February, and March 2022.

ENP Reviews

January

February

March

ENP Review Requests Received

6

0

3

ENP Reviews In-Progress

0

0

3

ENP Reviews Completed

6

0

0

ENP Allowed Following Review

2

0

0

ENP Disallowed Following Review

4

0

0

Question No. 1059 answered with Question No. 1058.
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