Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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587. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she intends to reform eligibility for supplementary welfare allowance to cover rent arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39540/22]

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.  This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low 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 and can include assistance with rent arrear costs. 

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.