Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on additional needs payment applications; if community welfare officers are dealing with an increase in applications at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50272/22]
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.
In the period January to end of September 2022, payments totaling €39.8 million have been made in relation to some 65,921 additional needs payments (excluding reoccurring supplements). 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 totaling €2.4 million have been made to date under these supplements.
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 €4.3 million has been provided for SWA Supplements in 2022 (excluding rent supplement).
The number of applications for Additional Needs Payments increased significantly in response to two major advertising and communications campaigns by my Department to promote the scheme this year. Table 1 shows the number of additional needs payments (excluding reoccurring supplements) paid from January – September 2022 and during the same period in 2021.
The Community Welfare Service is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. My Department continues to work to improve the service to citizens and every effort is being made to minimise processing times.
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 payments (excluding reoccurring supplements) paid from January – September 2022 and during the same period in 2021.
|
Month/Year |
Payments |
Month/Year |
Payments |
|
Jan-21 |
3,974 |
Jan-22 |
3,596 |
|
Feb-21 |
4,606 |
Feb-22 |
4,251 |
|
Mar-21 |
5,467 |
Mar-22 |
5,328 |
|
Apr-21 |
4,712 |
Apr-22 |
5,752 |
|
May-21 |
4,703 |
May-22 |
8,921 |
|
Jun-21 |
4,536 |
Jun-22 |
9,142 |
|
Jul-21 |
4,451 |
Jul-22 |
8,444 |
|
Aug-21 |
4,277 |
Aug-22 |
11,086 |
|
Sep-21 |
4,534 |
Sep-22 |
9,401 |
|
Total |
41,260 |
Total |
65,921 |
