I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 to 616, inclusive, together.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards. Its objective is to provide assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their basic needs.
In addition to a basic weekly allowance, assistance may be provided in the form of supplements that may be paid in respect of such needs as rent, mortgage interest, diet or heating. Payments may also be made in respect of exceptional or urgent needs where, in the opinion of the health board, the circumstances of a case so warrant.
The number of recipients in the following tabular statement refers to the position at 19 March. Some recipients may be in receipt of a combination of payments such as basic payment and various supplements.
As many as 1,669 payments of an exceptional or urgent need were made to single persons during the week ending 19 March at a cost of €386,644. As many as 818 payments of an exceptional or urgent need were made to persons under 27 years during the week ending 19 March at a cost of €178,657
Details of the current numbers of recipients and the estimated annual cost of categories identified by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Recipients
|
Estimated Annual Cost
|
|
|
€ million
|
Recipients of SWA who are single
|
|
|
Basic SWA
|
16,225
|
101.72
|
Rent Supplement
|
14,363
|
89.45
|
Mortgage Interest Supplements
|
849
|
1.68
|
Diet Supplement
|
3,716
|
2.13
|
Heat Supplement
|
820
|
0.45
|
Other Supplements *
|
2,965
|
3.93
|
|
|
|
Recipients of SWA who are Under 27
|
|
|
Basic SWA
|
10,223
|
66.96
|
Rent Supplement
|
16,497
|
106.99
|
Mortgage Interest Supplements
|
63
|
0.18
|
Diet Supplement
|
518
|
0.35
|
Heat Supplement
|
61
|
0.37
|
Other Supplements *
|
1,518
|
2.02
|
|
|
|
Recipients of rent supplement who are under 27 and in receipt of One-parent family payment
|
6,230
|
49.13
|
*Includes crèche, MARS, travel, etc.