Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1268. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a pick-up in the number of claimants under the exceptional needs’ scheme in the face of the present rise in the cost-of-living; the areas in which increased assistance is being sought; and if she plans any changes in the scope of the scheme. [40985/22]
View answerUnder 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. It provides supports and services to help support people on low incomes and facing financial hardship.
The additional needs payment is an overarching term for exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements paid under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. This scheme is administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Department of Social Protection.
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.
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.
In the period January to end of June 2022, payments totalling €22.7 million have been made in relation to some 37,000 additional needs payments. The main items eligible for assistance include help with fuel, utility bills, repairs to or replacement of household appliances, clothing, child related items such as cots and prams, assistance with funerals or burial costs and travel. Support is also available to assist persons under this scheme towards rent deposits. Some 3,400 customers are currently in receipt of an additional supplement to help with ongoing needs. Assistance provided under these supplements includes heat, travel and other ongoing costs. Payments totalling €1.8 million have been made to date under these supplements.
For comparison, table 1 shows the number by county of ENPs and UNPs awarded in 2021 and to-date in 2022 (to end of June).
This represents a snapshot of claim activity taken at 4th July 2022 and is subject to change.
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.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to a payment under the SWA Scheme is encouraged to contact their local Intreo Centre. 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 by county of ENPs and UNPs awarded in 2021 and to-date in 2022 (end of June)
|
County |
2021 |
2022 (to end of June) |
|
CARLOW |
682 |
530 |
|
CAVAN |
565 |
462 |
|
CLARE |
1,271 |
1,223 |
|
CORK |
4,164 |
3,158 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,397 |
1,508 |
|
DUBLIN |
19,058 |
10,918 |
|
GALWAY |
1,477 |
1,596 |
|
KERRY |
1,497 |
1,209 |
|
KILDARE |
2,365 |
1,192 |
|
KILKENNY |
952 |
573 |
|
LAOIS |
1,585 |
941 |
|
LEITRIM |
710 |
653 |
|
LIMERICK |
2,197 |
1,716 |
|
LONGFORD |
1,080 |
675 |
|
LOUTH |
1,454 |
1,116 |
|
MAYO |
1,044 |
647 |
|
MEATH |
2,327 |
1,367 |
|
MONAGHAN |
558 |
217 |
|
OFFALY |
852 |
771 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
837 |
499 |
|
SLIGO |
1,083 |
824 |
|
TIPPERARY |
2,465 |
1,156 |
|
WATERFORD |
1,337 |
1,003 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1,701 |
949 |
|
WEXFORD |
761 |
803 |
|
WICKLOW |
2,133 |
1,281 |
|
Total |
55,552 |
36,987 |
Note: These figures in tables 1 are taken from the Department’s ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs/UNPs at the time that they were approved for payment. Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
