Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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438. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if urgent financial assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36178/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was awarded Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) on 16/10/2023. Their claim was closed on 28/05/2024 as a result of the person failing to collect their JA payments from the post office on three consecutive weeks.

Following Dáil Question No. 912, a holiday form was issued by the Maynooth Social Welfare Branch Office to the person concerned on 01/08/2024 to assess any potential entitlement they may have to the missed payments. As of 16/09/2024 there is no record of a completed holiday form being submitted by the person to my Department. When the completed form has been received with the necessary information, the person’s claim will be reviewed, and they will be advised of the outcome.

There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).

The basic SWA provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. Separately, my Department may make an 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 a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. SWA payments are administered by Designated Persons (DP) in the CWS considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

As previously advised to the Deputy in reply to Dáil Question No. 982, Departmental records show that the person concerned applied for a basic SWA on 09/08/2024. Correspondence issued to the person 12/8/24 and 21/8/24 in which she was asked to provide further documentation in support of her claim. While this information was partially received, a further request for information issued to the person concerned on 27/08/2024 and the following information remains outstanding:

• A claim application for a primary scheme payment.• Proof of means for the period the person was abroad and verification of her address for that time.• Proof of the person's means since returning to Ireland.• Fully completed HRC form including the dates that the person concerned left the country and returned.• Confirmation that the children of the person concerned are in full time education, verification of this is required.

Departmental records also show that the person concerned applied for an ANP on 21/08/2024 for assistance with the cost of rent arrears and a utility bill. A request for further supporting information issued to the person concerned on 22/08/2024 and on 26/08/2024 and my Department awaits submission of the following documents:

• Copy of bills associated with the claim.• Evidence of a repayment plan in place with the person’s energy company and with Kildare County Council.

The person concerned was also advised of the requirement to provide these documents in the course of a phone call with the Department on 11/9/24. Upon receipt of all the necessary documentation, the person’s claims will be assessed promptly, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter.