Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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253. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which exceptional needs payments have been restricted, even in cases in which the need clearly exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19504/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may 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. The Government has provided over €36 million for exceptional payments in 2018.

The ENP scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

The principle consideration in making a payment under the ENP scheme to address a particular need is that the need to be met must be exceptional. The guidelines issued to staff administering the scheme assist them in the decision making process. It must be noted that the guidelines do not affect the discretion available to officers in issuing an ENP to assist an individual or household in any particular hardship situation which may arise.

It is not clear as to what restrictions the Deputy is referring to in his question and if he has concerns in respect of a particular case he should bring the details to the attention of the Department for consideration. I trust this clarifies the matter.