Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
246. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of exceptional needs payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in May and June 2022 respectively; the total and individual value of each payment; the total expenditure by category and month, inclusive in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36871/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra247. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of exceptional needs payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in each month in 2018 and 2019; the total and individual value of each payment; the total expenditure by category and month, inclusive in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36872/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot be expected to pay from their weekly income. It provides supports and services to help support people on low incomes and facing financial hardship.
This scheme is administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Department of Social Protection.
The Government has provided funding of €45.75 million for the provision of Additional Needs Payment in 2022. A further provision of €5.3 million has been provided for SWA Supplements in 2022 (excluding rent supplement). The scheme is demand led and is funded accordingly. The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
An additional needs payments can be 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 or 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.
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.
Table 1 shows the number by category of ENPs and UNPs paid by month for May and June 2022.
Table 2 shows the total expenditure by category of ENPs and UNPs paid by month for May and June 2022.
This represents a snapshot of claim activity taken at 4th July 2022 and is subject to change.
The payment amount, which can have a wide range value, will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed, therefore an average payment amount may not be representative of the trend in payments.
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.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 - The number by category of Additional needs payments ( ENPs and UNPs) paid by month for May and June 2022
|
Month |
Bills |
Child Related |
Clothing |
Funeral |
General |
Housing |
Illness |
Urgent Needs Payment |
Total |
|
May |
174 |
222 |
4,843 |
267 |
1,602 |
1,703 |
84 |
26 |
8,921 |
|
June |
188 |
171 |
4,747 |
250 |
1,801 |
1,810 |
118 |
54 |
9,139 |
|
Total |
362 |
393 |
9,590 |
517 |
3,403 |
3,513 |
202 |
80 |
18,060 |
Table 2 - The total expenditure by category of ENPs and UNPs paid by month for May and June 2022
|
Month |
Bills |
Child Related |
Clothing |
Funeral |
General |
Housing |
Illness |
Urgent Needs Payment |
Total |
|
May |
€113,191 |
€38,210 |
€798,276 |
€642,411 |
€345,398 |
€2,650,575 |
€12,654 |
€22,415 |
€4,623,130 |
|
June |
€122,521 |
€29,990 |
€697,212 |
€648,871 |
€444,840 |
€2,883,745 |
€19,996 |
€56,095 |
€4,903,270 |
|
Total |
€235,712 |
€68,200 |
€1,495,488 |
€1,291,282 |
€790,238 |
€5,534,320 |
€32,650 |
€78,510 |
€9,526,400 |
Note: These figures in tables 1 and 2 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.
