John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

39. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of those applying for, granted and refused a heating supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5383/22]

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

The supplementary welfare allowance 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 dependents.

Under the scheme, my Department may award a supplement to assist with on going or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a heating supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. There are over 970 people currently receiving it. The number of recipients has not changed significantly in recent weeks. While statistics are maintained relating to payments under the scheme, they are not maintained on the number of applications or the outcome of those applications.

Heating supplements are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

Table 1 shows the number of heating supplement recipients by county.

Anyone who struggles with heating costs is entitled to make an application for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes. I would encourage them to contact their local Intreo Centre and, once they meet the eligibility criteria, they will be provided with additional financial support. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place - 0818-800024 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Table 1: Number of heating supplement recipients by county to date in 2022