Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have given that issue some consideration. It has been discussed with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys. Her view, which I agree with, is that the existing community welfare service is the service that we should continue to use to issue exceptional needs payments. It does not require a separate fund because there is already a fund for exceptional needs payments which is worth around €40 million a year. It is not capped or budget limited but demand led. I encourage people who have a genuine need who are struggling to pay a utility bill to engage with their community welfare officer. Exceptional needs payments can be made and there is no cap on the budget.

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