Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:425. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the average rate of payment towards funeral costs received through the additional needs payment to date in 2023. [42778/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 October 2023
Ceisteanna (425)
Freagraí scríofa
Under 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. An application can be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.
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.
Statistics are prepared and published on a quarterly basis for Additional Needs Payments.
At the end of June 2023, 1,581 payments were made towards funeral and burials costs at a cost of €4,849,077, giving an average payment amount of approximately €3,100.
The payment amounts, 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 Supplementary Welfare Allowance 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.