Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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731. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to create an online application process for persons applying for domiciliary care allowance; when this is expected to be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55599/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department is committed to the design, build and delivery of client-focused online services and is engaged in a programme of work to increase the Department’s digital and online service offerings, in line with targets set out in the Government’s Harnessing Digital strategy.

To date, significant progress has been made in delivering online application services for working-age customers including jobseekers and those claiming Maternity, Paternity, Parents Benefit and Working Family Payment. My officials are currently working to extend online application services to older people, to Carers and to people with disabilities. However, it is not possible at this time to provide a definitive timeline as to when an online facility will be provided for Domiciliary Care Allowance customers.

The application form for Domiciliary Care Allowance (Dom Care 1) is currently available to download at gov.ie - Domiciliary Care Allowance Application Form (Dom Care 1) (www.gov.ie). The completed application form should be forwarded by post to the Domiciliary Care Allowance Section where it will be processed promptly.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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732. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to create an online application process for people applying for carer's allowance; when this is expected to be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55600/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department is committed to the design, build and delivery of client-focused online services and is engaged in a programme of work to increase the Department’s digital and online service offerings, in line with targets set out in the Government’s Harnessing Digital strategy.

To date, significant progress has been made in delivering online application services for working-age customers including jobseekers and those claiming Maternity, Paternity, Parents Benefit and Working Family Payment. My officials are currently working to extend online application services to older people, to Carers and to people with disabilities. However, it is not possible at this time to provide a definitive timeline as to when an online facility will be provided for Carer’s Allowance customers.

The application form for Carer's Allowance (CR1) is currently available to download at gov.ie - Carer's Allowance Application Form (CR1) (www.gov.ie). The completed application form should be forwarded by post to the Carer’s Allowance Section where it will be processed promptly.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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733. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to create an online application process for people applying for additional needs payment; when this is expected to be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55601/22]

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

As customer demand for online services continues to grow, the Department is committed to the design, build and delivery of customer-focused online services. The design and development of an online application process for ANPs are ongoing to meet the needs of customers. A go-live date for the online application process has yet to be confirmed.

In the meantime, the application form, SWA1, is available to download online at www.gov.ie or customers can also request a form by emailing CWSforms@welfare.ie. The completed application form can then be posted or dropped into the local Intreo Centre where it will be processed promptly.

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.