Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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425. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the redress awarded to a person from the Residential Institutions Redress Board should be included in a means assessment for a supplementary welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33400/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, 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.

Social welfare legislation provides for the disregard of certain compensation awards, including awards by the Residential Institutions Redress Board when assessing the means of a person for social assistance schemes including supplementary welfare allowance.

If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a particular case he should bring the details to the attention of the Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.