Written answers

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Community Welfare Services

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

682. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount paid out by community welfare officers in each of the years 2018 to 2020, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22255/21]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

683. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the headings and categories under which the moneys paid issued by community welfare officers in each of the years 2018 to 2020 were paid out; the breakdown on the expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22256/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 683 together.

My Department's Community Welfare Service has responsibly for the administration of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, the Daily Expenses Allowance and the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.  Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs). 

Daily Expenses Allowance is a payment to applicants for International Protection who live in accommodation provided by International Protection Accommodation Services of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. 

The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to provide income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged as a result of severe weather events 

The following table provides a summary of expenditure under each of the schemes for the years 2018 to 2020.  Expenditure figures by county on each of the schemes are not collated.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Expenditure on schemes administered by the Community Welfare Service 2018-2020

Basic SWA Rent Supplement Other Supplements Exceptional Needs Payments Daily Expenses Allowance Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
2018 €111.8m €175.0m €7.7m €42.3m €6.4m €0.35m
2019 €120.2m €125.2m €6.6m €43.2m €11.2m €0.12m
2020 €115.2m €133.1m €4.9m €41.1m €13.1m €0.83m

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.