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

My Department provides the additional needs payment, which can be for rent or a deposit if needed. The scheme is demand-led, and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into consideration the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

A person who is working can still have access to additional needs payments. Where someone who works is on a low income, an additional needs payment is appropriate and is not limited to those working fewer than 30 hours. There is no budgetary limit on the additional needs payment budget within the Department. It is demand-led, so it is there. It is the State’s safety net when somebody needs help. Additional needs payments can be made on flexible basis, taking into account all the relevant circumstances of the case and the nature of the need.

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