Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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99. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average amount paid out by community welfare officers in Cork in 2022. [34901/22]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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135. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of payments that have been issued by community welfare officers in Cork to date in 2022 and for the same period in 2021. [34900/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 135 together.

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.  Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as additional needs payments, which incorporate exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs). 

The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. 

Rent supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.  The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments. 

Under the SWA scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income.  This is an administrative umbrella 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 a person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary.  

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.  Decisions on ENPs and SWA supplements 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.

Table 1 shows the number of Basic SWA and supplement recipients in County Cork, at end of June 2021 and 2022.

Table 2 shows the number of ENPs and UNPs paid in County Cork for the period January to end of June 2021 and 2022. 

This represents a snapshot of claim activity taken at 4th July 2022 and is subject to change.

Under the additional needs payments, which can have a wide range value, the amount paid will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.  Payments are made for large items, such as help provided in setting up a home for the first time and smaller weekly supplements to assist with ongoing costs.  Average payments are not collated as they would have no meaning in these circumstances.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to a payment under the SWA Scheme is encouraged to contact their local Intreo Centre.  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 Basic SWA and supplement recipients in County Cork, at end of June 2021 and 2022.

Table 2 - The number of ENPs and UNPs paid in County Cork for the period January to end of June 2021 and 2022.

Note:These figures in table 2 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.