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

I thank Deputy Kerrane for raising this issue. As of 1 October 2022, over 75,000 applications for additional needs payments, ANPs, were processed and payments awarded. This represents a 63% increase in awarded payments compared with the same period in 2021. My Department has already paid an estimated €46 million in ANPs so far this year. Some of this increase can be attributed to the response to support families arriving from Ukraine.

The claims currently being received for ANPs are varied and often quite complex, reflecting the individual circumstances being experienced. Where an application is complete and accompanied by the required documentation, it is generally processed very quickly. Where it is clear that a person has an immediate need, every effort is made to ensure he or she receives a payment on the same day. Any delays are typically due to additional information or documentation being requested from the person and the length of time it takes for the information to be provided. Some claims, by their very nature, are not as urgent and, in these cases, the community welfare officer, CWO, gives greater flexibility to the customers with extended time to respond. Upon receipt of this information, the application will then be processed quickly.

My Department has taken a number of steps to simplify and streamline the process for persons applying for additional needs payments. There has been a major public information campaign to raise awareness of the payment. A client does not have to attend an office in person to make a claim. If it is more convenient for them, clients can speak directly with a CWO when they call the community welfare service freephone line. People who have never been to a CWO before find this very useful. There is a full-time CWO presence in more than 50 Intreo offices nationwide from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Of course, in addition, CWOs attend clinics in other locations, deal with people over the phone and, where needed, arrange to visit a person’s homes by appointment. There are 412 people across all grades in the community welfare service.

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