Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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21. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of requests for additional needs payments in the month of January; the number granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6085/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income.

Additional Needs Payments are demand led and 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.

Statistics relating to claims made in 2023 are not yet available. In December 2022 there were 12,340 Additional Need Payments applications received of which 9,967 were awarded. A statistical summary will be published on a quarterly basis for 2023 onwards.

Any person who considers that 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.