Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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251. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications that have been received under the additional needs' payment to date in 2022; the number of applications approved and the number refused; and the current processing times in weeks in tabular form. [58532/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department can make ANPs 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 a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

The scheme is demand led and 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.

As of October 2022, over 75,000 applications for Additional Need Payments were processed and awarded, this represents a 63% increase in awarded applications compared to the same period in 2021.

The claims currently being received for ANPs are varied and often quite complex. This reflects the individual circumstances being experienced by each customer. Where my officials are aware of a customer with an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person in question receives a prompt service, usually payment on the same day.

Where an application is complete and accompanied by the required documentation, it is generally processed in a matter of days. Where any application is not finalised within this timeframe, the delay is normally due to additional information or documentation being requested from the person to support their application and the length of time that it takes for the information to be provided.

This can result in longer processing times for these applications as greater flexibility is given to customers with extended time to respond.

Upon receipt of this information, the application will then be processed as soon as possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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252. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58533/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.

Fuel Allowance was awarded to the person concerned from 14 October 2022. They were notified in writing on the 15 November 2022.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.