Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

638. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the eligibility for assistance for a funeral bill in the case of a person (details supplied) will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33681/22]

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

The purpose of the Additional Needs payment (ANP), including the Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP), is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.

The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering 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.

Applications for ANPs (and ENPs) are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for financial assistance towards the cost of funeral expenses on 15/03/2022. The claim was disallowed on the basis that the person had already paid the funeral expenses and had not shown that a need for assistance existed.

Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.

Following a request from the person concerned a review of the decision was undertaken by the SWA Reviewing Officer. In the course of the review, the person concerned was asked to provide signed statements from the three persons who had paid the undertaker’s bill and to whom the person is repaying the amount paid.

This information was not provided by the person concerned and in the absence of these statements the SWA Reviewing Officer upheld the original decision of the Designated Person.

It is open to the person concerned to provide this information and a further review of her claim will be carried out.

In her correspondence with my Department, the person concerned mentions that she has medical issues which incur additional costs. The person concerned has been advised previously that she may apply for assistance with these costs under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. A report or statement from a medical or healthcare professional in support of her application should be provided if the person concerned makes an application in this regard.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

639. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if support will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33723/22]

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

The Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by my Department. I can confirm that my Department received an application for the Carer's Support Grant (CSG) from the person concerned on 3 May 2022.

It is a condition for receipt of a CSG that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention. This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least six months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined. The deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for this care recipient. The person concerned was notified on 28 May 2022 of this decision, the reasons for it, and of her right of review and appeal.

A request for a review of the original decision, together with further medical evidence, was received on 10 June 2022. The application is currently under review and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome in due course.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.