Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2018
51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to speed up the manner in which various social welfare payments are being dealt with, with particular reference to exceptional needs payments and appeals and delays surrounding same which cause severe hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8418/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that prompt processing of claims is a priority for me. Scheme areas are monitored and reviewed to ensure customers are responded to and claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. As part of its programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented by my Department in recent years. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised. Staffing levels are also kept under review to ensure the best use of available resources. Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme my Department may make a single exceptional needs payment – an ENP - to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
Provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department’s staff, especially for the SWA scheme which is the safety net within the social welfare system. The ENP scheme is demand led and payments are made 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. Reviews of ENP cases are carried out by review officers within the community welfare service. ENP applications and requests for reviews are examined promptly by the Department given the nature and sometimes urgency of the need presented, for example travel required for urgent medical or family circumstances may be examined immediately.
If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a particular case he should bring it to the attention of the Department.
