Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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404. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if financial support in the form of an exceptional needs payment can be made to homeless persons (details supplied) in order to pay for accommodation while they are awaiting approval of their housing need from the relevant local authority, or, failing that, that the community welfare officers be allowed pay hotel, bed and breakfasts or other accommodation providers during the period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31281/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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. Cork City and County Council have responsibility for all matters relating to housing including the provision of emergency accommodation for homeless persons in Cork.

In general the Exceptional Needs Payment scheme is not intended to cover circumstances where the responsibility rests with another Government Department or State Agency.