Gary Gannon
Ceist:326. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made to the exceptional needs payment; and the number awarded in each of the years 2018 to 2021. [10700/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 24 February 2022
Ceisteanna (326)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, 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. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time. Government has provided €45.75 million for the exceptional and urgent needs schemes in 2022.
The 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 number of ENP and UNPs issued in the years 2018-2021 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Number of Payments |
|
2018 |
112,500 |
|
2019 |
92,200 |
|
2020 |
67,600 |
|
2021 |
55,500 |
My Department is currently compiling more extensive statistics in relation the number of applications made to the ENP/UNP schemes, and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The reduction in demand for exceptional needs payments in 2020 and 2021 most likely reflects the extensive support provided by the Government during the pandemic, including €9.1bn in PUP payments and €236m in Enhanced Illness Benefit payments. Analysis conducted by the ESRI in 2021 has shown that the pandemic supports provided by the Government were effective in mitigating the poverty impacts for those with low incomes. The reduction in demand for ENPs is consistent with the ESRI analysis.
I would encourage any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an exceptional or urgent needs payment to contact their local Intreo Centre. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place - 0818-800024 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.