Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

5:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the mechanisms available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in order that they can obtain funding to ensure that they can provide special heating in the family home for their ill child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21218/07]

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department has means or special payment mechanisms that can provide funding to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21219/07]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 97 together.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment.

The Dublin / Mid-Leinster Area of the Executive have advised that the person concerned called to the local Community Welfare Office (CWO) of the Executive in early June 2007 and also in September 2007 in order to obtain assistance with regard to clothing and bedding costs. The person concerned received an exceptional needs payment in both instances from the community welfare officer.

Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, a recipient of a social welfare or a Health Services Executive payment who has exceptional heating costs due to ill health or infirmity can apply to their local community welfare officer for a special heating supplement. The Dublin / Mid-Leinster Area of the Executive have advised that no application has been received from the person concerned for a heating supplement. An application for a heating supplement may be made by contacting the local community welfare officer.

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