Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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429. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of exceptional needs applications that have been received by her Department to date in 2022 the number of applications that have been finalised and approved, respectively; the length of time that it has taken to process these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48170/22]

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 scheme is demand led. 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.

There have been 85,322 applications for additional needs payments (excluding supplements) received by the Department to date in 2022 (end of August). Of those registered claims, 56,950 have been awarded. This does not reflect the number of claims that have been disallowed, withdrawn, cancelled or are awaiting further information. These figures represent a snapshot of claim activity and are subject to change.

The Community Welfare Service is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. The current processing data available indicates that 50% of applications for Additional Needs Payments are finalised within 0-4 weeks and that 90% are finalised within 0-8 weeks. In cases where it is evident that a customer is experiencing particular hardship and where their application is complete and accompanied by the required documentation, their application will be prioritised for decision.

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.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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430. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if Ukrainian refugees are required to pick up their jobseeker’s allowance payments in-person at post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48194/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides two payment options for its customers: payment in cash at post offices or payment directly into customer accounts by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). A small number of ad hoc payments were also made by cheque.

Customers are offered a choice of payment method for most Social Welfare schemes. In the case of jobseeker payments the default payment option is cash collection at a post office.

In accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive implemented in March of this year, people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted the status to avail of the supports and services, including income supports and employment services, provided by my Department. This means that they can work in Ireland and access social services and the full range of social welfare supports, including jobseeker payments. The priority for my Department is to make payments as quickly as possible. In view of the fact that people arriving from Ukraine are accommodated in a range of locations with a relatively high frequency of movement, they are being offered the option of payment via EFT in addition to payment in cash at Post Offices to avoid undue disruption to their payments when they move address.

I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.