Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
389. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a travel allowance for international protection applicants to attend medical appointments remote from their accommodation centre has been cut; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22572/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe supplementary welfare allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. This can include assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments where there are no other supports available.
The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need.
This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered.
If an International Protection Applicant has exhausted all other options and can provide evidence from the Health Service Executive and International Protection Accommodation Services (if appropriate) that they are unable to provide assistance with transportation and that there is no financial assistance available from another source, they can be considered for assistance under the Additional Needs Payment scheme.
Any person who considers that 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. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
