Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the exceptional needs payment that have been awarded and refused in the past twelve months to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51069/22]
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. 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 schemes are 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.
The data indicates that almost 66,000 applications ANPS have been awarded from the start of the year to end-September, while almost 9,000 claims have been disallowed in the same period.
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.
