Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make a single exceptional needs payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure that a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of his or her weekly income. The scheme is demand-led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. This ensures the payments target those most in need of assistance.

Statistics are maintained on the number of payments awarded under the exceptional needs payment scheme by county and are provided in the table in this reply. Statistics are not currently maintained on the number of applications made or applications refused by county. However, provisional details recorded indicate that 1,224 applications registered related to household bills and heating costs made between 1 January and 30 April, of which 138 were disallowed. The main reasons for disallowance on these applications were that either the need was not established or the applicant had sufficient means available to him or her and could meet the need from his or her own resources or from an alternative source. My Department is currently compiling more extensive statistical analysis on applications for exceptional needs and urgent needs payments and will revert to the Deputy, if required, when this has been completed.

The table in this reply details the number of payments awarded to assist with household bills and heating costs by county. While payments are categorised under the scheme, it is not possible to identify payments specifically made in respect of boiler repairs and replacements.

Anyone who wishes to make an application for a payment under the supplementary welfare schemes should contact the community welfare service at their local Intreo centre. There is a national Intreo contact centre in place that will direct callers to the appropriate office.

Table 1 - ENPs for household bills and heating costs 2022 (to end of April)

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