Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
98. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional needs payments made, where a family requested such a payment to cover the costs of a therapy or service required as an urgent need, by county, from 1 January 2023, in tabular form. [46386/23]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly 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 general, additional needs payments are not intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency. The provision of therapy services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health. While statistics are maintained on the number of payments made under the Additional Needs Payment scheme, it is not possible to identify payments made to persons requesting assistance with such services.
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. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
