Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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875. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who, following allocation to council housing, applied for the new home kit (exceptional needs payment) for flooring and was awarded significantly less than what is needed to complete the works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63930/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.  Decisions on ENPs 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.

The person concerned applied for an ENP for assistance with flooring costs for his new home and provided quotations for same.  Having considered all aspects of the application, including household income of approximately €1,000 per week made up of a social welfare Carer’s Benefit payment and wages for the person and their spouse, the Designated Officer awarded an ENP of €1,000.

The person concerned was informed of the award in a letter dated 19/12/2022 and was further advised if unhappy with the outcome they could request a review by setting out the grounds for this review in writing to the SWA Reviewing Officer, FREEPOST, P.O. Box 700, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

I hope this clarifies the matter.