Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the social welfare system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23115/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department 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. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.

ENPs are a key support for low income households and payments are only made after careful consideration of all the circumstances of an individual case.