Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider introducing assistance with the cost of domestic waste disposal as part of the household benefits package. [28325/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €294 million this year on the Household Benefits Package for over 525,000 customers.

People over the age of 70 receive the Household Benefits Package, with one package provided per household. The package is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

While consideration is always given to suggested improvements to the Department's schemes, any decision to enhance the Household Benefits Package by introducing a domestic waste cost support element could only be considered while taking account of overall Government policy and budgetary considerations. The matter of domestic waste disposal is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and it is not expected that the Household Benefits Package will be extended to assist with these costs.

However, my Department does provide Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have essential expenses, which they cannot meet from their own resources.

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. This ensures that support is provided to people with the greatest financial need.

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 that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.