Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

159. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the additional needs payment could be used to cover a shortfall for an individual who has applied for a housing adaptation grant from their local authority and cannot afford the shortfall between the grant allocation and costs of works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26653/24]

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

The Housing Adaptation Grants are funded 80% by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with a 20% contribution from the resources of Local Authorities. The grants are administered by Local Authorities and have various measures attached such as means testing and maximum payments, as part of the framework of the scheme.

Responsibility in relation to supports for housing adaptions, for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation needs of a person with a disability, including any shortfalls in funding, is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the relevant Local Authority.

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 or other personal and household resources. However, Additional Needs Payments are not generally intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency.

Where a person is unable to meet the requirements for the grant, they should discuss any other options available to them with their Local Authority.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

160. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the additional needs payment could be used to cover travel related costs (for example, fuel or taxi fares) for those who frequently travel to hospital appointments by car/taxi; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26654/24]

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

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.

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 or other personal and household resources. This can include assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments where there are no other supports available.

The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need.

This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered.

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. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.