Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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33. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will introduce a payment to cover the additional costs for families in emergency accommodation such as travel and food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18774/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under SWA, the Department of Social Protection can make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.

An urgent needs payment (UNP) is a once-off payment made to persons who would not normally qualify for SWA but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or an alternative is not available at that time.

The Government has provided €30.3 million for the exceptional and urgent needs schemes in 2016. Where the need is of a recurring nature, a weekly or monthly supplement under the SWA scheme may be awarded, for example, to assist with the costs of additional travel arising for families in emergency accommodation.

I am satisfied with the range of discretionary supports available under the SWA schemes, and do not plan to introduce a specific payment for the additional costs for families in emergency accommodation. Families in these circumstances who are experiencing difficulties meeting additional costs should contact the Department’s Community Welfare Service who may be able to offer assistance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.