Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance  scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income.  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. 

An exceptional needs payment (ENP) is a single payment 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.

Table 1 shows the number of ENPs/UNPs paid by category for Co. Wicklow from 2019-2022.

Table 2 shows ENP expenditure for Co. Wicklow from 2019- 2022. 

In addition, for ongoing or recurring costs, a supplement can be awarded under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to assist with costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service.  There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.  

Table 1 - The number of ENPs/UNPs paid by category for Co. Wicklow from 2019-2022. 

Table 2- ENP/UNP expenditure for Co. Wicklow from 2019- 2022 

Note:These figures are taken from the Department’s ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs/UNPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid.  Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1154. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if further medical evidence was considered in the determination for a disability allowance payment for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30934/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned submitted an application for Disability Allowance (DA) on 21 December 2020.  Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this person was substantially restricted in taking up employment.  The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 19 April 2021.

The person concerned lodged an appeal and submitted further medical evidence for consideration to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO).  On 3 August 2021 the SWAO notified the Department that the original decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed.  The person concerned was notified directly by the SWAO of the decision on their appeal.  An appeals officer (AO)’s decision is final and conclusive, in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence.

The medical evidence provided by the Deputy with this question was not previously submitted to the Department by the person concerned.  Therefore, it was not considered by the Deciding Officer when reaching a decision on their entitlement to DA.

This evidence has now been forwarded to the independent SWAO for consideration under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended.  Once the SWAO has completed its consideration of the new evidence, that office will notify the person concerned directly of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1155. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are in receipt of jobseekers' benefit, jobseekers' allowance and signing for credits by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30941/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is included in the attached tabular statement.  Note that these figures refer to all recipients under 25 who are on jobseeker's benefit, jobseeker's allowance and signing for credits as of 05 June 2022.

It should be noted that credits have been included with jobseeker's benefit as the numbers involved at county level are below five in almost all counties.  The total number on credits across all counties is 28.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1156. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are in receipt of jobseekers' benefit, jobseekers' allowance and signing for credits for 12 months or more in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30942/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1157. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are in receipt of the full rate of jobseekers' allowance of €208 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30943/22]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1158. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are in receipt of the lower rate of jobseekers' allowance of €117.70 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30944/22]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1159. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are in receipt of a rate of a Jobseekers' allowance other than €117.70 and €208 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30945/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1157, 1158 and 1159 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below.  Note that these figures refer to all recipients under 25 who are on Jobseeker's Allowance as of 05 June 2022.

Age related rates for Jobseeker's Allowance recipients were introduced on a phased basis from 2009 to tackle high youth unemployment and avoid long term welfare dependency.  Where a young jobseeker participates in an approved full-time education or training course they will receive the maximum rate of payment.  The measure aims to protect young people from long term welfare dependency by providing them with a strong financial incentive to engage in education or training which would assist them to obtain sustainable full time employment.

Age related Jobseeker's Allowance rates do not apply to those who have dependent children, those transferring directly to Jobseeker's Allowance from disability allowance, individuals aged 18-24 years who were in the care of the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) during the period of 12 months before they reached the age of 18 and those who are living independently of the family home and are in receipt of qualifying state housing supports such as rent supplement or the housing assistance payment.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1160. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the Jobseeker's allowance for those young persons under 25 years of age who are currently on the weekly rate of €117.70 to the full rate of €208; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30946/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The estimated full year cost of increasing the rate of payment by an additional €90.30, from €117.70 to €208 per week, is €66.8 million.  This includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults and those on an age-reduced rate of Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2022, and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.

Any increase in the rate of payment for Jobseeker's Allowance for those aged under 25, and consequential linked increases, would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.