Ms Helen Faughnan:

On the question of food, etc., flexibility exists in the area of exceptional needs payments for an unforeseen expense, sometimes depending on the number of children in the emergency accommodation. It has not arisen however.

The Deputy asked about the Department of Education and Skills on the possibility of transport.

Often the supplementary welfare allowance scheme has been a safety net not only for our Department's clients but for those of some other Departments where they have not been able to meet the cost involved in the issues of concern. In individual cases of transport, the Department of Education and Skills may not have flexibility in its response. There have not only been instances in the areas Ms Rita Tighe manages but we have had instances of other cases where people have been provided with transport costs because they have been an exceptional-----