Ms Niamh O'Donoghue:

Each individual. One area of reform has received significant attention over recent years. When we got the group of community welfare officers to look at what was happening on the ground in regard to exceptional needs, it became clear there were very divergent practices, particularly with regard to paying people for first communion expenses. In some areas of the country there was no history or track record of exceptional needs payments being made for these, but in others modest or large payments were made. The group then came up with a view as to what might be appropriate and this was rolled out in 2012. This was changed again at the end of 2012 and now there is no specific provision for religious services. However, there is still discretion to make a payment for clothing. An officer can make a judgment in that regard, but within the guidelines that exist.