Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2023
154. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be approved for a person (details supplied) to cover the cost of their grandmother’s funeral as this person was their carer for the past five years and has limited means and cannot be expected to cover any of the cost; and if she will expedite a positive response. [42975/23]
View answerUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An ANP application can be made for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.An ANP 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 a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department. The person concerned applied for an ANP requesting assistance with funeral expenses in respect of a deceased family member. Having considered the circumstances of the person’s application, the Designated Person determined that the need was not exceptional as they had sufficient savings to cover the cost. The person was advised of the outcome on 17/08/2023 and of their right to request a review.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 Review Officer under Section 323 of that Act.Following a request from the person, a review of the decision was undertaken by a SWA Review Officer. After consideration of the person’s circumstances as outlined in their request for a review, the Review Officer awarded an ANP of €2,600 to assist with funeral expenses. This payment issued directly to the funeral director by Electronic Funds Transfer on 03/10/2023. A letter issued to the person concerned advising them of the outcome.I trust this clarifies the matter.
