Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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418. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to indicate if and when an exceptional needs payment might be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied), with particular reference to her need to fit out her new home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53162/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has not made a recent application for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme.

If the person is experiencing financial difficulty, they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) by completing a SWA1 form. The purpose of the ANP is to assist people with essential expenditure, which an eligible person could not be reasonably expected to meet out of their weekly income. Payments are awarded at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. Applications for ANPs are made under the SWA scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service.

A SWA1 application form is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. The completed application form together with any supporting documentation can be returned by freepost to Community Welfare Services, PO Box 1107, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Freepost FKE 7512.

For the convenience of the person concerned, an application pack has issued to their home address. When a completed application has been submitted together with all necessary supporting documentation, the person's application will be assessed promptly and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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419. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to indicate whether basic social welfare payment or exceptional needs payment might be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53164/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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According to the records of my Department, the person concerned is currently in receipt of an Illness Benefit payment at the full personal rate of €220 per week. The person has not recently applied for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme.

If the person is experiencing financial difficulties they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) by completing a SWA1 form. The purpose of the ANP is to assist people with essential expenditure, which an eligible person could not be reasonably expected to meet out of their weekly income. Payments are awarded at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. Applications for ANPs are made under the SWA scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service.

A SWA1 application form is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. The completed application form together with any supporting documentation can be returned by freepost to Community Welfare Services, PO Box 1107, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Freepost FKE 7512. Alternatively, the person can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

For the convenience of the person concerned, an application pack has issued to their home address. When a completed application has been submitted together with all necessary supporting documentation, the person's application will be assessed promptly and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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420. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to indicate the extent to which a home parenting pension will be available in the case of a person (details supplied); whether she is likely to benefit from recent extension of benefits announced in the Budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53165/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 19 June 2020 .

In order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory), an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned does not have the required 520 full rate paid contributions and therefore does not qualify for State pension (contributory).

The homemaker’s scheme and the home caring credits can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement. However, before an individual can avail of either of these schemes, they must satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory).

If the person concerned considers they have additional contributions from employment that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.

As part of the series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system, I have introduced an enhanced State Pension provision from January 2024 for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks). The periods of care-giving do not need to be consecutive.

If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, they can apply for the Long-Term Carers Contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover caring gaps in their contribution record. The quickest way to apply is online at MyWelfare.ie.

Further information about the Long-Term Carer's Contributions and the changes to State pension (contributory) and are available on the Government website at gov.ie/pension

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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421. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to indicate if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53166/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel allowance (FA) is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments and persons aged over 70 towards the cost of their winter heating needs. Qualification for FA is subject to satisfying all the relevant qualifying conditions.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for a FA on 15/11/2023. In their application they confirmed there were two people living with them. The Deciding Officer having considered the application disallowed the claim on the basis one of the people residing with the person concerned is not a dependent. A decision letter issued to the person concerned on 15/11/2023 whereby they were afforded the opportunity to request a review and were further advised if their circumstances changed by could re-apply for FA.

I trust this clarifies the matter.