Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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407. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments received in 2022, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7002/23]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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408. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments received by those aged under 25 years, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7003/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.

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. 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 customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.

The schemes are demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

Table 1 provides a breakdown of the number of ANP claims awarded by county, in 2022.

Table 2 provides a breakdown of the number ANP claims awarded to those aged under 25, by county, in 2022.

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.

Table 1 - The number of ANP claims awarded by county, in 2022.

Table 2 - The number ANP claims awarded to those aged under 25, by county, in 2022,

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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409. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7016/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that the Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 02 December 2022

On 13 December 2022, the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility.

On 04 January 2023, the person concerned called the office asking for an extension of 21 days as they were not in a position to supply the requested information by the deadline given.

On 10 January 2023, further information was received and a decision was made by the deciding officer.

Based upon all the evidence submitted, the application was refused on medical grounds as it was found that they were not substantially restricted in taking up employment and on the grounds that they did not satisfy the conditions of being habitually resident in the state.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 09 February 2023 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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410. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the amount being deducted from weekly payment can be reduced in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7050/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is repaying an overpayment to my Department which currently stands at €37,526.98. The person is repaying this overpayment at an amount of €33 per week which is equivalent to 15% of his Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) payment.

Following the Deputy’s representation and on the basis of the person’s circumstances, this repayment has been reduced to €10 per week. This revised repayment will take effect in the person’s next JA payment due on 21/02/2023.

I trust this clarifies the matter.