Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for an exceptional needs payment by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26645/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs), 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. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP on 31/05/2024 to assist with the cost of household repairs. A Designated Person has contacted the person concerned and arranged a home visit on 24/06/2024. Following this meeting, the person's claim will be assessed, and she will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter.