Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2005
143 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the clothing allowance for elderly persons in need has been withdrawn and restricted to persons with asthma, diabetes and arthritis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, HSE, provides for exceptional needs payments to be made to assist with essential, once-off expenditure in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional needs payments, are made at the discretion of the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive and I do not have any function in deciding individual cases.
There is no automatic entitlement to an exceptional needs payment. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the household concerned.
There is no standard clothing allowance for adults. It is expected that expenses incurred in respect of normal clothing requirements, which are of a predictable and recurring nature, should be budgeted for out of regular weekly income whether from earnings or from social welfare payments.
