Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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98. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has made any provision for an increased budget for additional needs’ payments in light of the ending of the eviction ban and the likelihood of additional expenses being faced by people made homeless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15160/23]

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 essential 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.

Government has provided €66.0 million for the Additional Needs Payment schemes in 2023. A further provision of €3.27 million has been provided for reoccurring supplements in 2023 (excluding rent supplement). This is a demand-led scheme and there is no budget cap.

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.

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.