John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will arrange an increased payment of social welfare or rent allowance to persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite a positive outcome to the appeal. [34580/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, which is administered by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE), is designed to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. Under the legislation governing the scheme, the HSE may make a single payment to meet an exceptional need to people on social welfare or health board payments. This is a once-off payment to meet an unforeseen or special need that cannot be met from a person's basic income.

Assistance in the form of an Urgent Needs Payment (UNP) can be also made to persons who would not normally be entitled to SWA, to assist, for example in cases of flood damage with immediate needs, such as food, clothing, fuel, household goods and shelter. Assistance can be provided to people affected in cash or in kind.

The South Eastern area of the Health Service Executive has advised that an exceptional needs payment of €800 has been made to the people concerned to assist them in the immediate aftermath of the flooding. Rent supplement in respect of rented accommodation will be paid with effect from next week. If the people concerned have any further needs, they should discuss this with their local community welfare officer.