Departmental Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022

Thursday, 14 July 2022

Questions (578, 580, 581, 582)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

578. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of grants processed under the additional needs' payment by month and per county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39437/22]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

580. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on granting additional needs payments by month and per county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39439/22]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

581. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum amount of grant awarded on additional needs payments by month and per county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39440/22]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

582. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum salary earned by an awardee of an additional needs' payment by month and per county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39441/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 580, 581 and 582 together.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income.  This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

The Government has provided funding of €45.75 million for the provision of exceptional and urgent needs that are provided for as Additional Needs Payment in 2022.  A further provision of €5.3 million has been provided for SWA Supplements in 2022 (excluding rent supplement).  The scheme is demand led and is funded accordingly.  The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.  

An Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.  An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time. 

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.

Table 1 shows the number of additional needs payment claims processed by county for each month to-date in 2022 (to end of June). This represents a snapshot of claim activity taken at 1st July and is subject to change.

Table 2 shows the expenditure for additional needs payments by month to-date in 2022 (to end of June). Breakdown of expenditure by county is not available.

Under the additional needs payments, which can have a wide range value, the amount paid will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.  Payments are made for large items, such as help provided in setting up a home for the first time and smaller weekly supplements to assist with ongoing costs. The scheme is demand led. There is no maximum amount awarded and no cap on payment amount allowable; however the system is restricted to issuing payment transactions of €6,500 or less per transaction. If an Officer determines that the need exceeds €6,500 they can issue multiple payments of €6,500 to meet the need presented. Statistics are not maintained on individual payment amounts or the salary levels of persons awarded an additional needs payment.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service.  There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.   

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

TABLE 1 - Number of Additional Needs Payment claims processed by county for each month to-date in 2022 (to end of June)

County	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Total
CARLOW	53	84	65	100	144	130	576
CAVAN	43	74	76	74	122	91	480
CLARE	67	131	146	153	520	348	1365
CORK	245	313	431	692	993	821	3495
DONEGAL	112	138	172	168	424	585	1599
DUBLIN	830	1334	1927	1784	2377	2866	11118
GALWAY	73	126	209	189	500	722	1819
KERRY	99	140	177	265	496	297	1474
KILDARE	131	188	196	169	178	481	1343
KILKENNY	60	81	104	106	207	68	626
LAOIS	83	108	140	133	142	198	804
LEITRIM	55	61	77	132	238	111	674
LIMERICK	183	220	238	264	448	467	1820
LONGFORD	120	113	138	108	125	151	755
LOUTH	157	195	149	191	289	221	1202
MAYO	72	94	136	127	172	135	736
MEATH	142	192	230	231	285	378	1458
MONAGHAN	29	28	37	46	58	46	244
OFFALY	79	110	109	128	181	218	825
ROSCOMMON	33	55	66	78	151	131	514
SLIGO	80	80	90	86	229	307	872
TIPPERARY	144	212	257	226	249	274	1362
WATERFORD	65	106	174	167	293	321	1126
WESTMEATH	113	136	145	182	260	241	1077
WEXFORD	61	83	129	144	258	276	951
WICKLOW	82	127	235	353	400	190	1387
Total	3211	4529	5853	6296	9739	10074	39702

TABLE 2 - Expenditure for additional needs payments by month to-date in 2022 (to end of June) 

MONTH	€ 000
January	2,962
February	3,465
March	3,676
April	3,558
May	4,703
June	5,038