Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

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.

The statistical reporting was revised in 2022 to include reoccurring supplements in the overarching term of an Additional Needs Payment. Statistics for the scheme are prepared and published on a quarterly basis.

Table 1 shows the number of Additional Needs Payments registered, awarded and disallowed in 2023 for County Clare. The figures do not reflect the number of claims that have been withdrawn, cancelled or are awaiting further information. A number of claims are closed without a decision, mainly owing to customer not finalising their claim.

I encourage any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment 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. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Tabular Statement

Table 1 – Additional Needs Payments registered, awarded and disallowed in 2023 for County Clare