Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2019
342. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expenditure on the exceptional needs payments in each of the years 2012 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the percentage of persons refused an exceptional needs payment to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44105/19]
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 expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for SWA but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time.
In total €38.8 million has been provided for ENPs and UNPs in 2019. The tabular statement shows the expenditure on ENPs and UNPs each year since 2012.
Statistics are maintained relating to payments made under the ENP and UNP schemes, however I am advised that they are not maintained on the number of applications or the outcomes of those applications.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement: Expenditure on ENPs and UNPs, 2012-2019
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2012 |
€52.7m |
|
2013 |
€35.7m |
|
2014 |
€30.1m |
|
2015 |
€31.0m |
|
2016 |
€32.2m |
|
2017 |
€38.1m |
|
2018 |
€42.3m |
|
2019 (End of September) |
€31.6m |
