John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason financial assistance or benefit has been refused in respect of a person (details supplied); if their case will be reviewed based on medical circumstances with a view to granting supplementary welfare allowance. [23550/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) 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 HSE based on the particular circumstances of the case. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment.

The HSE has advised that the application for assistance from the person concerned was granted in August 2011. Additionally the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly supplement from the HSE under the SWA scheme.

Should the person concerned require further assistance they should contact the community welfare officer (CWO) in their local Health Centre in order that an assessment of their entitlements can be further examined.