Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1153. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the amount and nature of the issuing of discretionary payments at social welfare offices in County Wicklow over the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30913/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. 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.
An exceptional needs payment (ENP) is a single payment 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.
Table 1 shows the number of ENPs/UNPs paid by category for Co. Wicklow from 2019-2022.
Table 2 shows ENP expenditure for Co. Wicklow from 2019- 2022.
In addition, for ongoing or recurring costs, a supplement can be awarded under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to assist with costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - The number of ENPs/UNPs paid by category for Co. Wicklow from 2019-2022.
|
Category |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (to end of May) |
|
Bills |
405 |
215 |
150 |
35 |
|
Child Related |
93 |
70 |
59 |
21 |
|
Clothing |
650 |
551 |
306 |
412 |
|
Funeral |
101 |
131 |
78 |
33 |
|
General |
970 |
707 |
424 |
114 |
|
Housing |
950 |
1,315 |
1059 |
487 |
|
Illness |
90 |
72 |
45 |
17 |
|
Urgent Needs Payment |
69 |
13 |
12 |
2 |
|
Grand Total |
3,328 |
3,074 |
2,133 |
1,121 |
Table 2- ENP/UNP expenditure for Co. Wicklow from 2019- 2022
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (to end of May) |
|
Expenditure |
€1,808,053 |
€2,128,603 |
€1,620,037 |
€852,323 |
Note: These figures are taken from the Department’s ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs/UNPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
