Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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119. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the arrangements that are in place to meet the funeral-burial costs of a person who dies intestate and who does not have any family members with the means to meet the costs involved. [46749/14]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, 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 Government has provided €31.3 million for the ENP scheme in 2014.

An application can be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses. An ENP is a means tested payment 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 applicant and that of the deceased person including any savings, property, insurance policies, etc. The Department official will also consider if a bereavement payment is available from any other source including former employer, credit union or trade union.

Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an ENP under the SWA scheme on behalf of the deceased or to any of the range of supports available following bereavement should contact the Department.