John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal for supplementary welfare will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6093/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under Section 201 of the 2005 Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) may make a single payment to meet an exceptional need to people on social welfare or health board payments. These payments are known as Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and are made to assist with any essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet from 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.

The person concerned was refused an ENP in November 2009 as in the opinion of the CWO the person concerned did not have an exceptional need at the time of the application. The person concerned was advised of her right to appeal the decision to the designated Appeals Office of the HSE. To date no appeal has been received. The person concerned should contact the local HSE Appeals Office, 8 O'Connell Street, Clonmel, Co.Tipperary. (phone: 052-6125758) should she wish to appeal the original decision to refuse an ENP.