Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a Directive was sent to H.E.O.'s formerly C.W.O.'s regarding non payment of travelling expenses to hospitals under the exceptional needs payment in supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will provide details of same. [53291/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Where travel costs are non-recurring, the SWA scheme provides for exceptional needs payments to be made to assist with essential, once-off expenditure in exceptional circumstances to people on social welfare or Health Service Executive payments. There is no automatic entitlement to such payments. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.

It is important to point out that where other State agencies have a primary responsibility, the SWA scheme should not be used as an alternative or additional source of support.

There has been no recent change in this policy.