Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33840/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is designed to provide immediate and flexible assistance to those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. There are currently approximately 33,200 customers in receipt of a basic weekly payment under the SWA scheme for which the Government has provided €160 million for 2012.

Since 1 May 2004, applicants for SWA, regardless of nationality, are required to be habitually resident in the State in order to qualify for a payment. SWA cannot be viewed as a temporary or interim means of income support available independently of habitual residency, while an applicant awaits the outcome of either a decision or an appeal against a decision on a claim for a social welfare payment from the Department.

Under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, the Department's representative administering SWA may make a single payment to meet an exceptional or urgent need. These payments are not subject to habitual residency. There is no automatic entitlement to these payments and each application is determined by the Department's representative based on the particular circumstances of the case.