Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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937. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the PPSN applications of international students that have recently arrived here will be expedited (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7341/20]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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999. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the PPSN applications of international students that have recently arrived here will be expedited in view of the fact that many cases are being refused despite providing valid reasons for applying for a PPSN and in further view of the fact that successful applications are in some cases taking over a month to process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8038/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 937 and 999 together.

My Department has temporarily suspended the face-to-face SAFE/PPSN registration service. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and WHO guidelines in respect of social distancing.

As a result of the postponement of the SAFE process, an email and postal service has now been introduced for people who wish to apply for a PPSN.

Email applications can be submitted to ppsn@welfare.ie and postal applications to the Department’s office in Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Staff in that office are currently processing these PPSN applications until such time as the face-to-face process is reinstated.

People who apply for a PPSN are required to provide evidence of their identity, proof of their address and evidence that they require a PPSN to avail of public services in the State. Difficulties in providing such evidence can delay the PPSN application process.

Arrangements are in place for the prioritisation of an application for a PPSN where a person requires one to receive support under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme operated by my Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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938. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to implement a specific emergency social protection payment for international students that are not eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment and do not have a PPSN or are not currently able to find work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7342/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme offers a safety net within the overall social welfare system by providing assistance to those whose means are insufficient to meet their own needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance to those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. There are several payments within the scheme, including exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).

Payments can be made to help with the cost of any exceptional needs and urgent needs which a person cannot reasonably be expected to meet from their income. The habitual residence condition does not apply to ENPs and UNPs. Decisions on such 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.

International students who are not eligible for other Department schemes can receive support under the ENP and UNP schemes. This support can include financial assistance to meet the cost of food and other essential items needed to prevent hardship. If the Deputy is aware of specific cases where difficulties have arisen, then she should bring these to the attention of the Department.

It is necessary to have a PPS number in order to access the Department's payments. As part of the response to the Covid 19 pandemic, the Department has introduced a simplified postal PPSN registration process. Information is available here:

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.