Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider granting an exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40886/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 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. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons (DP) in the CWS considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

Departmental records show that the persons concerned applied for an ANP on 29/08/2024 for assistance with the cost of furnishing their new accommodation. This claim was disallowed on the basis that the persons have sufficient means available to them in the form of savings to cover the expenses from their own resources. A letter advising the persons concerned of this outcome and affording them the opportunity to seek a review of the decision issued to them on 14/09/2024.

Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, ENPs and UNPs, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.

Following your Parliamentary Question, a review of the decision on the ANP application of the person concerned is now being undertaken. A SWA Reviewing Officer will review the application and may contact the person directly if any further information is required. When this review has been completed, the person concerned will be notified of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter.