Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

326. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications made to the exceptional needs payment; and the number awarded in each of the years 2018 to 2021. [10700/22]

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

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department can 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. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time. Government has provided €45.75 million for the exceptional and urgent needs schemes in 2022.

The 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.

The number of ENP and UNPs issued in the years 2018-2021 is set out in the table below.

My Department is currently compiling more extensive statistics in relation the number of applications made to the ENP/UNP schemes, and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The reduction in demand for exceptional needs payments in 2020 and 2021 most likely reflects the extensive support provided by the Government during the pandemic, including €9.1bn in PUP payments and €236m in Enhanced Illness Benefit payments. Analysis conducted by the ESRI in 2021 has shown that the pandemic supports provided by the Government were effective in mitigating the poverty impacts for those with low incomes. The reduction in demand for ENPs is consistent with the ESRI analysis.

I would encourage any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an exceptional or urgent needs payment to contact their local Intreo Centre. 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.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

327. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of letters issued from her Department to one-parent family payment claimants requesting proof of efforts from the liable relatives to seek maintenance in each of the years 2018 to 2021. [10702/22]

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

The Department does not specifically contact One Parent Family claimants to request proof of efforts to seek maintenance from liable relatives.

As part of the application process, the Department does seek details of the liable relative and asks if the customer is pursuing any efforts to secure maintenance. The customer's responses to these questions are generally accepted.

I trust this clarifies the position.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

328. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of one-parent family payment claimants who were exempt from efforts to seek maintenance conditions due to domestic abuse and risk from a former partner. [10703/22]

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

The issue of family maintenance payments is first and foremost a private matter for the people concerned.

Social Welfare legislation provides that some or all of the cost of One-Parent Family (OFP) payments are recovered. In every case where OFP is awarded, the Department seeks to trace the other parent (liable relative) in order to ascertain whether they are in a financial position to contribute towards the cost of the OFP. Liable relatives are advised that they can meet their liability by making payments directly to the Department or to the OFP recipient.

The methods of assessment of the liable relative's ability to pay are specified in detail in regulations S.I. 571 of 2006 and S.I. 142 of 2007, as amended.

In 2021, Liable Relatives Unit were made aware of 418 cases where a Barring Order/risk of domestic abuse existed. In these case’s the Liable Relative was not contacted to contribute towards the cost of the OFP.

I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.