The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides entitlement to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The SWA scheme provides basic weekly payments, rent, mortgage interest and other supplements and once off exceptional need payments, for example, for clothing and footwear. The scheme is administered by the health boards on behalf of my Department.
The South-Eastern Health Board has no record of an application from the child's aunt seeking financial assistance. The health board has advised that the mother of the child concerned is in receipt of a qualified child allowance for the child on her widow's pension. She is also in receipt of child benefit.
It is open to the child's aunt to contact the local community welfare officer to make an application for assistance under the SWA scheme by calling to the Gorey Health Centre any Tuesday between 10.30 a.m. and 12.00 p.m. or by telephoning (055) 21374. On receipt of the application, the CWO will then be in a position to make a decision on the matter and advise on any other options which may be available to the persons concerned.
