Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022
367. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection if parents on low incomes who borrowed significant amounts of money to get their children privately diagnosed or assessed due to the lengthy assessment of needs waiting lists are eligible for the additional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33373/22]
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. Additional needs payments include exceptional and urgent needs payments and supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
In general, additional needs payments are not intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency. In the case of medical assessments, this responsibility rests with the Health Service Executive. However, an additional needs payment can be made to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This assessment will consider all outgoings including loan repayments.
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.
