Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1058. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for the exceptional needs payment each month in 2018; the number granted, refused and appealed, respectively, by month; the number, if appealed, that were successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54241/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Government has provided €38.8 million for ENPs and UNPs in 2019. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may 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.

Reviews of ENP decisions are carried out by review officers within the community welfare service. Statistics are maintained relating to payments under the ENP and UNP schemes; however, they are not maintained on the number of applications, the outcome of those applications, the number of reviews or the outcomes of those reviews.

The tabular statement below shows the number of ENP and UNP payments that issued each month in 2018.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Tabular Statement: Number of ENP and UNP payments made in 2018