Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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167. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a basic social welfare payment can be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7977/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.

The person referred to has been in receipt of a Basic SWA payment since 19 January 2017, pending a decision on an application for a State Pension Non-Contributory. As SWA is a means tested payment, income from other sources is assessable and in this case means from a private pension have been assessed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.