Ms Niamh O'Donoghue:

Yes, because exceptional needs payments by their nature pertain to an exceptional event or expense with which somebody must deal. A degree of discretion is involved for the officer with regard to how that claim is validated and paid. We have done considerable work in this area since the community welfare service became part of the Department in 2011. A group of former community welfare officers looked at the range and scope of payments being made around the country and came up with guidelines for guiding principles to inform officers. However, it is critical to be aware that officers still have discretion.