Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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342. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the criteria used to qualify for payment for supplementary welfare allowance; the amount that is actually spent on items such as these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55296/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The total expenditure for ENPs in 2013 was in excess of €35 million.

There is no automatic entitlement to a payment under the ENP scheme. ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

There are no predetermined amounts under the different categories for exceptional needs payments. In January 2013, guidelines were issued to staff providing recommendations in relation to the maximum amounts payable for a number of items covered under the scheme. The recommended maximum amount is €100 for adult clothing and €140 for a fridge.

Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an ENP under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme should contact the local officials administering the scheme.