John McGuinness
Question:203. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be approved for a person (details supplied). [41952/23]
View answerThursday, 28 September 2023
Questions (203)
Written answers
The purpose of the Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is to assist people with essential expenditure, which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. ENPs are awarded at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
Applications for ENPs are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department. Supports from this Department are not intended to cover circumstances where another Government Department or Agency has a primary responsibility.
The person concerned applied for an ENP to assist with the purchase of a new heat pump. This claim has been disallowed on the basis that responsibility for this type of support rests with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. A letter issued to the person concerned on 22/09/2023 advising them of this outcome and affording them the opportunity to request a review of the decision.
Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, ENPs and UNPs, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
I trust this clarifies the matter.