Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
454. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review of supplementary welfare allowance will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57669/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in the Department.The purpose of the ENP is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which cannot be met from any other source and which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.The ENP is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the SWA 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.According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an ENP for assistance with an electricity bill. The claim was disallowed on the basis that no exceptional need had been established. The Designated Person further advised there were alternative options available to the person in the electricity market and also recommended that the person engages with his provider to agree a repayment plan in relation to arrears on his account.A decision letter issued to the person advising him of the outcome of his application and affording him the option of seeking a review of the Designated Person’s decision. Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, ENPs and UNPs, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act. Following a request, a review of the decision was undertaken. Having examined all points raised in the review including further information received, the SWA Review Officer was unable to find any grounds to overturn the original determination and so the original decision was upheld. A letter issued to the person concerned on 18/11/2022 advising him of the outcome.I trust this clarifies the matter.
