The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare Division of the Health Service Executive (HSE), is designed to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Under the legislation governing the scheme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) may make a single payment to meet an exceptional needs payment to people on social welfare or health board payments. This is a once-off payment to meet an unforeseen or special need that cannot be met from a person's basic income.
Assistance in the form of an Urgent Needs Payment (UNP) can be also made to persons who would not normally be entitled to SWA, top assist, for example in cases of flood damage where immediate needs, such as food, clothing, fuel, household goods and perhaps shelter, of the people affected may be met by a UNP in cash or in kind.
My Department's role in supporting the response to this particular flooding event will primarily involve supporting the community welfare service in the provision of ENP and UNP funding in the short term and other supports where applicable to cater for the long term effects of the flooding.
My Department has been in contact with the local representatives of the community welfare service in order to ascertain the immediate and long term effects of the flooding in this case. The local community welfare officer has visited the area and is available to provide assistance on an individual basis, where that is warranted.