Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have two queries. One is on exceptional needs, which has been discussed. That is a more important payment now, given that it is being relied on around high energy costs. I have raised it with the Minister before. I cannot understand why we cannot collect the data. I am not accusing, saying community welfare officers are not doing their job or that there are any issues there, but it would be important to collect the data on the number of people seeking payments under exceptional needs and the numbers that are and are not getting them. We collect data across the Department of Social Protection on almost everything and I ask the Minister to reconsider that.

Typically, those in full-time work over 30 hours per week cannot access exceptional needs payment. There is an issue there, particularly when it comes to energy costs. Those who receive the fuel allowance will see a gain in early March, which is welcome. All others, particularly workers, will not be able to access that support. Aside from the €200 electricity credit, those workers have no assistance when it comes to heating and do not have assistance through the exceptional needs payment. Will there be flexibility regarding that element of exceptional needs?

I did not realise this came under it and it is not something I have dealt with before but an issue has been raised with me on the deserted wife's benefit and access to fuel allowance. I know deserted wife's benefit is a closed scheme but someone on that is allowed to earn €120 on top of it and receive the fuel allowance; someone on the State pension can also earn €120 and access the fuel allowance. There is a difference because someone on the State pension is on a higher amount. If you are on deserted wife's benefit at about €213, when you earn that €120, it is a lesser amount than those on the State pension who can earn €120. I have emailed the Minister on the matter. I know it is not straightforward but I ask that she look at that. Those on deserted wife's benefit should be able to earn the same amount as those on the State pension and access fuel allowance. It is an important payment for them and their households. I thank the Minister.