Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2013
156. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the background to the decision to cut grants for religious ceremonies such as first communion and confirmation costs; if these grants will be reinstated in the future to help the poorest in society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17996/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Government has provided €47.6 million for the scheme in 2013.
There is no automatic entitlement to a payment, or no predetermined amounts under the different categories for ENPs. Such payments are payable 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.
A review of the guidelines on ENPs was carried out by a Departmental working group made up of community welfare service staff. One of the recommendations emanating from this review was to address the different approaches taken, in different areas, in relation to the payment of ENPs in respect of religious ceremonies, mainly communions and confirmations, and to ensure that the SWA scheme is responding to financial need and not to occasions.
For 2013, the Department has recommended that payment of the allowance specifically in respect of religious ceremonies will cease. Applications can continue to be made under the scheme for assistance with child clothing. Over 570 claims - at a cost of approximately €56,000 - have been paid under the child clothing category during 2013 to date. I have no plans to reverse this decision as this measure ensures that the ENP scheme will continue to respond to specific need and not to the occasion.
This recommendation does not affect the discretion available to officers administering the scheme in issuing an ENP to assist an individual or household in a particular hardship situation which may arise. Persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an ENP under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme should contact the local officials administering the scheme.
