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Exceptional Needs Payment Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2018

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Ceisteanna (561, 565, 571)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

561. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which exceptional needs payments continue to be restricted even in cases in which the need clearly exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26908/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

565. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for exceptional needs payments pending or refused in the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26913/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which community welfare services are readily available to meet the needs of those in society who may ordinarily have had no reason to call on the social services but who may due to circumstances outside their control have to rely on exceptional needs payments in order to get by in a crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26919/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 561, 565 and 571 together.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Department may make an urgent needs payment (UNP) to a person who may not normally qualify for SWA but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or an alternative is not available at that time. The Government has provided over €36.4 million for ENPs and UNPs in 2018.

There are a number of categories specifically excluded in legislation from receiving assistance under the SWA scheme, including ENPs. These include people in full-time work and people in full-time education. These exclusions do not apply under the UNP scheme.

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. The principle consideration in making a payment under the ENP scheme is to address a particular once-off and exceptional need.

The guidelines issued to staff administering the ENP scheme assist them in the decision making process. The guidelines do not affect the discretion available to officers in issuing an ENP to assist an individual or household in any particular hardship situation which may arise, so that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

Statistics are maintained relating to payments under the ENP and UNP schemes, however they are not maintained on the number of applications or the outcome of those applications. Details of the number of payments made under the ENP scheme for the years 2013 to 2017 and to end of May 2018 are set out in the following tabular statement. For reporting purposes this data also includes the numbers of urgent needs payments (UNP).

The Community Welfare Service has an important role within the overall social welfare system in providing a responsive and flexible approach to meeting the needs of the disadvantaged. CWS staff have extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders and advocacy groups working with vulnerable people.

Any person who considers that they have an entitlement to an exceptional needs payment should contact the Community Welfare Service at their local office.

If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a particular case or circumstances where he feels the administration of the scheme is being restricted, he should bring it to the attention of the Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Table 1 - Number of Exceptional Needs Payments, 2013 - 2018 (end of May)

Year

Number of Payments

2013

133,000

2014

107,100

2015

101,600

2016

100,100

2017

103,500

2018 ( to May)

42,500

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