Cormac Devlin
Ceist:315. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30090/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 13 October 2020
Ceisteanna (315)
Freagraí scríofa
Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) are provided for in legislation by Section 201 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended. The legislation does not confer a statutory right or entitlement to ENPs and every application is considered separately.
ENPs may be considered in exceptional circumstances, where, because of the nature of the requirement, it would be unreasonable and unrealistic to expect the customer to meet the need from their own resources. ENPs may be considered in circumstances where the non-payment of same may cause serious hardship to the customer and/or their family.
ENPSs are not intended to cater for expenses which are predictable and reoccurring and which should be budgeted for out of regular weekly income and should not be used to supplement primary Social Welfare payments and should only arise under exceptional conditions and not become a regular or standard practice. It is expected that weekly social welfare payments should cover normal clothing needs and assistance for clothing should only arise under exceptional conditions and not on a regular seasonal basis, or as standard practice.
According to the records of my Department an ENP was paid to the person concerned in respect of clothing in October 2019. No current application for assistance with the purchase of clothing has been received by the Community Welfare Service in Dun Laoghaire. It is open to the person concerned to submit an application in respect of a clothing need and the application will be considered on its merits by the Designated Person.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 316 answered with Question No. 298.