Paul Kehoe
Ceist:413. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the State pension (non-contributory) for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59023/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraState Pensions
Ceisteanna (413)
Freagraí scríofa
State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
An application for state pension non-contributory was received from the person concerned on 27 October 2022.
On 7 November 2022, a request for information issued to the person concerned in order that their weekly means can be assessed.
On receipt of the required information, the person's eligibility for state pension non-contributory will be examined and they will be notified in writing of the outcome without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Ceisteanna (414)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:414. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the State pension (non-contributory) for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59025/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means-test, at initial application stage and throughout the lifetime of the pension claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held, and notify any changes that occur that may affect their pension entitlement.
An application for state pension non-contributory was received from the person concerned on 27 July 2022. On 22 August 2022, the case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector to investigate the means of the person concerned, so that their entitlement to pension could be properly assessed.
The Inspector confirmed that the person concerned has been contacted in relation to the means investigation. The Inspector has been requested to expedite completion of the investigation and return of their report, to enable a Deciding Officer to determine the entitlement of the person concerned to state pension non-contributory without further delay.
The person concerned will be notified of the outcome in writing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Public Services Card
Ceisteanna (415)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:415. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has feedback on the number of applications online to complete application for the public services card that result in failure; the number of follow-up calls which are not reached within a reasonable period; and if steps can be taken to make this process simpler for people. [59028/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has introduced an online service which allows customers with verified MyGovID accounts to renew their Public Services Cards (PSCs) through the MyWelfare.ie service without having to attend an appointment in one of our offices.Just under 37,000 online applications have been made since the beginning of this year. In some cases, there are issues with the photograph submitted and, when that happens, an official of my Department follows up immediately by contacting the applicant and advising them to attend their Local Office to complete the process. My officials have contacted 2,255 people in this regards so far this year.My Department has always provided a multi-channel approach to service provision and any customers who experience difficulties renewing their PSC online can arrange an appointment to have their photograph taken at one of our offices or can contact the Public Services Card helpdesk at 0818 837 000.
In respect of first-time applications for Public Services Cards, my Department is currently developing an online application service and it is expected that this service will be introduced in the third quarter of 2023.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (416)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:416. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Clare in receipt of the fuel allowance at the end of 2020, at the end of 2021 and the figure as of November 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59031/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The number of recipients of fuel allowance from County Clare for each of the dates requested by the Deputy are included in the attached tabular statement.
|
End of 2020 |
10,187 |
|
End of 2021 |
9,742 |
|
As of November 2022 |
10,068 |
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (417)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:417. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is eligible for dental services under the treatment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59059/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The person concerned is entitled to dental benefit under the Department's PRSI scheme and according to the Department’s records, the person concerned received a free dental examination and periodontal treatment under the treatment benefit scheme in October 2022 which is her full entitlement for 2022.
Where an eligibility application is submitted after treatment is received, notification issues to the customer accordingly.
The person concerned will be entitled to dental treatment again from January 2023.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Ceisteanna (418)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:418. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) has had their State pension (non-contributory) reduced; if this will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59062/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means-test, at application stage and through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held and inform the Department of any relevant changes in their circumstances that may affect their pension entitlement.
Following a recent review of the person’s state pension non-contributory entitlement, the Deciding Officer determined that the person's weekly means had increased since the previous review and made a revised decision on the weekly pension entitlement of the person concerned.
The person concerned was notified of this revised decision on 8 November 2022 and provided with a breakdown of the revised means assessment.
The person concerned was also informed of their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Following on from the Deputy's representations and the additional information provided as part of this request for review, a Deciding Officer will re-examine the facts of the case and the person’s state pension entitlement. The outcome of the review will issue, in writing, directly to the person concerned without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (419)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:419. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who received a grant to purchase a hearing aid under her Department’s medical appliances scheme in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [59075/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Medical Appliance benefit can be paid to those PRSI contributors and their dependent spouses with the required number of recorded contributions. The scheme provides for a grant towards the provision of hearing aids and contact lenses required for medical reasons.
The number of persons who received a grant to purchase a hearing aid under the Department’s medical appliance scheme in 2021 and to date in 2022 is as follows:
|
Year |
Number of claims |
|
2021 |
21,817 |
|
2022 to date |
22,943 |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (420)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:420. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59080/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.
The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of State pension (contributory). An individual can have a weekly income of €120.00 above the maximum rate for State pension (contributory) plus any increases for age, living alone and dependants and still be eligible for the fuel allowance. In this case the threshold, based on their household, is €373.30.
Following a means assessment, it was determined that the household means were €383.11 which exceeds the current permissible weekly means for the household. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 23 November 2022.
As the Deputy is aware, from January 2023 the weekly means threshold is being increased by €80, from €120 to €200 above the appropriate weekly rate of State Pension (Contributory) for applicants under 70 years of age. As the household means of €383.11 will be under the increased threshold, their entitlement from January 2023 will automatically be reviewed.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Irish Language
Ceisteanna (421)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:421. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is the option to engage with the Department through Irish under current legislation; and if so, if she will direct this Deputy to the relevant legal section. [59104/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to providing a high standard of service in either Irish or English to its customers. The Department is aware of its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003, the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 and the commitments as set out in our Irish Language Scheme 2019-2022.
In customer-facing areas - Intreo Centres and Branch Offices - staff can provide telephone/ face-to-face services through Irish, while our centralised scheme areas (for example, Pensions, Disability payments) can offer a telephone service to customers through Irish. In situations where staff are unavailable, an interpreter service is offered. This service, which can be arranged at very short notice, can be provided either by 3-way phone call, or in-person, as required. My Department can also conduct business in writing through Irish.
The Department currently has four public offices in Gaeltacht areas. All these offices can provide a service through Irish.
My Department is committed to the continued development and training of staff to facilitate the provision of services through Irish and encourages staff to avail of the range of training supports to enhance fluency in the Irish language.
My Department's Corporate Planning Unit has responsibility for the co-ordination, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Department's obligations under the Official Languages Act, and can be contacted by email at gaeilge@welfare.ie if the Deputy has further queries.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (422)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59107/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The claim concerned is now being investigated in full and a reply will issue to the Deputy once it has been examined.
I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
Question No. 423 answered with Question No. 388.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (424)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:424. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review of a decision for the carer’s support grant of a person (details supplied) will be decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59161/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Carer's Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment made to carers by my department.
I can confirm that my department received two applications for CSG from the person concerned on 19 July, 2022 in respect of two individual Care recipients.
It is a condition of CSG that the carer is not working, self-employed, or on a training or education course for more than 18.5 hours a week.
The person concerned declared working hours of 22 hours per week.
It is also condition of CSG that the care recipient must have a disability that meets the full-time care and attention requirements set out in the governing legislation such that: a person shall not be regarded as requiring full-time care and attention unless the person is so incapacitated that he or she requires from another person –
(a) (a) continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or
(b) (b) continual supervision in order to avoid danger to himself or herself.
Having examined all of the evidence presented in support of one of the claims for CSG, a Deciding Officer decided that they do not meet the full-time care and attention requirements. The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter dated 07 September, 2022.
A request for a review of the original decisions was received on 27 September, 2022. Following a review, the person concerned was notified on the 22 November, 2022 that the original decision was upheld and of their right to an appeal.
Community Employment Schemes
Ceisteanna (425, 437, 460)
Robert Troy
Ceist:425. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a former community employment, CE, supervisor (details supplied) who had to retire early on health grounds and whose sole income now is a disability payment is being advised that they will have to wait indefinitely for their entitled ex gratia payment as a retired CE supervisor and if this payment will be prioritised. [59191/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Peter Burke
Ceist:437. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection when a community employment supervisor (details supplied) will receive their gratuity payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59331/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:460. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will request her officials to process the ex gratia payment for a retired CE supervisor (details supplied) who had to take early retirement on health grounds. [59481/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 425, 437 and 460 together.
CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors sought for several years through their union representatives, SIPTU and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsoring organisations.
A final settlement was reached with unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors at the end of 2021. This settlement resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Some 2,500 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008 will benefit at an estimated total cost of over €24 million.
Over the past number of months, an administrative and ICT system to accept applications and process payments was put in place within the Department of Social Protection. The first group of ex-gratia applications have been received and are being processed - these relate to persons who retired since 2008, including those who retired early on medical grounds. Following Government approval earlier this month, legislative provisions to provide for these payments are being included in the Social Welfare Budget Bill, which will also, once enacted, facilitate the payment of processed applications.
The person concerned submitted an application for the ex-gratia payment in October. This application has been processed and she has been advised of the details of the payment. It is my intention that these payments will issue before the Christmas break, subject to the safe passage of the required legislation. A notification will issue to her as soon as the payment is processed and is ready to issue.
I trust this clarifies the matters.
Social Welfare Code
Ceisteanna (426)
Emer Higgins
Ceist:426. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of domiciliary care allowance applications that are approved on first application, appeal and any subsequent appeal; and the number of these that relate to children with autism. [59194/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment in respect of a child aged under 16 with a severe disability who requires ongoing continual or continuous care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. Eligibility for DCA is determined primarily by reference to the degree of additional care and attention required by the child rather than the child's disability.
Applicants are advised to provide as much detail as possible at application stage to ensure all information is available for the decision and assessment process.
The last complete year for which data on DCA is available is 2021. The following table sets out the details of the applications processed, including the outcomes from the initial application/decision stage during 2021.
|
Year |
Applications received during year |
Applications awarded during year |
Applications disallowed during year |
|
2021 |
9,121 |
5,369 (58.9 %) |
2,468 (27 %) |
The following is the DCA appeal outcome details in respect of year 2021:
|
Year |
Appeal Allowed |
Appeal Partially Allowed |
Appeal Disallowed |
Total |
|
2021 |
533 (59.5%) |
25 (2.7%) |
338 (37.7%) |
896 |
It should be noted that information in relation to a child's specific medical disability or condition such as autism is not collated as children can have multiple diagnoses.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Code
Ceisteanna (427)
Colm Burke
Ceist:427. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the long-term illness benefit is considered a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance and household benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59199/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Fuel Allowance is paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income. The reason that Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance or the Household Benefits Package is that, in the vast majority of cases, they are short-term payments for those who suffer a short period of interruption to their employment. The payments are not means-tested and are based on a person’s PRSI record. The recipients still have an attachment to the labour force and there is an expectation that they will return to the workforce.
Long-term Illness Benefit recipients who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for Invalidity Pension (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria and social insurance contributions). Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance (subject to the relevant medical criteria). All recipients of both of these payments are eligible for additional benefits including the Household Benefits Package.
This Department provides Additional Needs Payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
Illness Benefit recipients will receive the €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of this payment from January 2023.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Ceisteanna (428)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:428. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that recipients of disability allowance, blind pension or invalidity pension who are on community employment schemes or undertaking further education and training have been excluded from the additional payment of €500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59226/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My department acted very quickly to deliver the Disability Support Grant and other budget measures within an exceptionally short timeframe. Wherever possible, budget measures that are usually implemented in the January to March period of the year following a budget announcement, have been brought forward and implemented within a period of weeks. While this early issue of payments was very challenging it was possible to achieve for people paid directly off the Department’s own payment systems.
However, when undertaking training courses, recipients of Disability Allowance or Blind Pension move off the Department’s payment systems and transfer to a Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funded Training Allowance. As a consequence, it was not possible to process early payment of the Disability Support Grant to these recipients in the same manner as was implemented in respect of people paid directly through the Department’s own systems.
I can confirm, however, that it is absolutely the intention that people on training courses, having previously been in receipt of a Disability Allowance payment or Blind Pension payment will receive the €500 Disability Support Grant.
Officials in my department are examining this issue in conjunction with their colleagues in the Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure the payment is made to those who are on training courses as soon as possible.
In relation to Community Employment schemes, Community Employment is an active labour market programme designed to provide people with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
Participation on the scheme is part time - 19.5 hours per week. Participants can also work outside of the 19.5 hours that they participate on Community Employment, and income from such employment does not affect their Community Employment payment rate.
The minimum rate of payment on a Community Employment scheme is €230.50. In addition, a participant may be eligible for payments in respect of any qualified dependent adult and children.
Community Employment participants are not eligible for the €500 disability lump sum. If a person in receipt of Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance or Blind Pension transfers to a Community Employment scheme, their payment ceases. They get paid in the form of a wage from the company that employs them.
As part of the measures announced in Budget 2023, Community Employment participants will see an increase of €17 being applied, increasing the minimum payment from €230.50 to €247.50 per week from January 2023.
In addition, weekly payments for qualified child dependents will increase by €2 to €50 for children aged 12 or over and to €40 for children aged up to 12.
A number of once off bonus payments were announced in Budget 2023, which will benefit eligible Community Employment participants, including a once off payment of €400 for those in receipt of the Fuel Allowance. These are in addition to the Autumn Cost of Living double week payment in October, the double payment of Child Benefit in November and the Christmas double payment in December 2022.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (429)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:429. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Fuel allowance, under the National fuel scheme, may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie. An application for fuel allowance was received from the person concerned on 07 November 2022. His weekly household income was assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit for fuel allowance. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed and he was notified of the decision and the reasons for it on 23 November 2022.I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (430)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:430. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance will be backdated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59234/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for living alone allowance increase was received in my Department from the person concerned on the 29th September 2022. A living alone allowance increase was awarded at the weekly rate of €22.00 from the 1st April 2022. The allowance was backdated for 6 months in accordance with the current backdating legislative provisions. A decision to that effect issued to the person concerned by letter dated 22nd October 2022.Further backdating of this pension increase, beyond the six months granted, may only be considered where the delay in making the claim was due to incorrect information provided by an officer of my Department, or due to the person being so incapacitated that they were unable to make a claim, or appoint a person to act on their behalf.
A Deciding Officer has reviewed the living alone increase award date and having considered all the evidence is satisfied that the claim to the living alone allowance has been backdated in accordance with the current legislative provisions. A letter to that effect has been posted to the person concerned.
If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision they can request a further review by contacting my Department with any documentary evidence relevant to support their claim.
Alternatively, the person concerned can appeal the decision by writing to the Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, Dublin 2, stating clearly their grounds for appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (431)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:431. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made to date on the determination of an application for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59277/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.The Department received a claim for IP for the person referred to on 15 August 2022. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. Notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 10 November 2022 informing him of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (432)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:432. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing her Department's services who are employed in her Department as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way that her Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59299/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has appointed Access Officers in accordance with section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005. Access Officers are responsible for providing or arranging for, and coordinating assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities, accessing services provided by the Department and generally to act as a point of contact for people with disabilities wishing to access the Department's services.
It is important to note that Access Officers are not employed specifically for this purpose, rather they are employees of the Department who carry out this role in addition to their work. My department has 16 Access Officers across the country to provide assistance to people in need of accessibility arrangements when engaging with our schemes and services. A comprehensive list of the Department's Access Officers and contact information is available to the public on gov.ie. The list details the locations and offices that each Access Officer covers, and the Officer's contact details. Members of the public who would like to avail of this service are invited to get in touch with our Access Officers via phone or email in order to arrange for an accessible way of engaging with the Department. My department is eager to draw attention to this service and does so through our regular engagement with the public, including through social media platforms.
The list of Access Officers is kept under regular review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (433)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:433. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether departmental guidelines were not intended to have the adverse consequences that have occurred in the case of a person (details supplied); if she will intervene in this case to ensure that they are not pursued by the debt management section of her Department. [59303/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Deserted Wife’s Benefit is a social protection payment made to women who were deserted by their husbands. One of the conditions for entitlement to Deserted Wife’s Benefit payment is permanent residence in the state.
The scheme allows for payment in respect of a period abroad in certain limited situations. Reasonable absences of up to a maximum of 3 weeks outside the State are permitted, for example for the purposes of holidays or attending a funeral.
Under the circumstances outlined and, as the absence from the State of the person concerned occurred during two different calendar years, the Department has reviewed the recent revised decision made. The person concerned has been notified, in writing, of the positive outcome of the review on 28 November 2022.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (434)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:434. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59315/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The purpose of the Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. ENPs are demand led and 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.Applications for ENPs are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department.According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for assistance with the purchase of a fridge. Having assessed the circumstances of the case, the Designated Person has awarded the sum of €320 which will be paid by cheque to the person this week.I trust this clarifies the matter.