Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
518. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports available to islanders travelling to hospitals to access cancer treatment and associated overnight stays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23998/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department provides an increase, known as the island allowance, to certain weekly payments to people who are ordinarily resident on an island off the coast of Ireland. The objective of the scheme is to compensate for the additional costs of living on these specified islands when compared to people resident on the mainland. The allowance is paid at the rate of €12.70 per week.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, my department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. In addition, my department can 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.
Decisions on ENPs and SWA supplements 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. As part of the decision process, consideration is given to other State supports that may be available.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to assistance under the SWA scheme can contact the Department's Community Welfare Service. The Department has established an Income Support Line - 1890 800 024 – which can be used by customers at this time to contact the Department. Staff can advise them of how to make an application for assistance from the Department.
The Deputy may be aware that the HSE provides funding under the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) for a transportation assistance fund, known as Travel2Care, to assist patients who have a financial difficulty in meeting some of the costs of travelling to appointments. This scheme is administered by the Irish Cancer Society.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
