Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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371. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has made allowances for the hardship faced by families applying for social welfare schemes who are not entitled to supports under the supplementary allowance scheme regulations but where they must wait for more than 12 months for a decision on their case in total; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30944/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants.

SWA is designed to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes or who are awaiting a decision on a social welfare application.

If the Deputy has a particular case where the person has been left with no income for a period of 12 months, they should forward details to the Department for follow up.