Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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214. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if financial supports are available in cases in which a person who relies on disability allowance as their income has inherited a house with considerable costs attached in getting progress and registration to complete such a project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40827/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While my Department has no responsibility for costs associated with inheriting a property, we do, in certain circumstances, provide the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, for those whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. Under the scheme, the Department may make an ‘additional needs payment’ to meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of 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 persons own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently on a social welfare payment or in employment. The payment amount will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances of the case.

Any person who considers 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.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.