Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022
306. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if supplementary welfare will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if the household issues will be investigated to determine the level of intervention required. [12232/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of this Department, the person concerned was awarded a One Parent Family Payment with effect from 12/08/2021. He is currently in receipt of a weekly payment of €441 which includes a Fuel Allowance payment of €33. The person concerned is also receiving a Carer’s Allowance payment of €112 per week, a monthly Domiciliary Care payment of €309.50 and Child Benefit of €700.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance 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. There is no automatic entitlement to these payments which are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
According to our records the person concerned applied for an ENP on 18/08/2021 to assist with funeral expenses and was awarded €3,000 on the same day. The person concerned was also awarded ENPs on 05/08/2021 and 30/08/2021 for €500 and €300 respectively.
An official from the Community Welfare Service in Kilkenny has arranged for an ENP application pack to be issued to the person concerned. When a completed application has been received a Designated Person will assess the claim and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I hope this clarifies the matter.
