Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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281. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a living alone allowance will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46018/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An application for the living alone increase was received on 30 September 2024.

The living alone increase has been awarded with effect from 06 September 2024. The person concerned is also entitled to the Telephone Support Allowance from this date. Both decisions issued to the person concerned on 04 November 2024, together with details of arrears due.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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282. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an ENP for assistance with house kit out can be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46019/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (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 means tested and administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. As part of the application process, a person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as considered necessary.

Departmental records show that the person concerned applied for an ANP in May 2024 for assistance with the cost of her new home. As a tenancy agreement for the allocated property was not supplied with the person’s claim, the application was returned to her along with a request for the outstanding tenancy agreement to be provided. Departmental records show that the application and requested information has not been returned to date and no further application for assistance under the SWA scheme has been received.

If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties, they can reapply for assistance by completing a SWA1 form and providing all relevant documents in support of their application. On receipt of a completed application form and supporting documentation, the person's claim will be assessed, and she will be advised of the outcome in writing. Alternatively, if the person concerned has a verified MyGovID account she can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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283. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in determination of application for DCA in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46034/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of the child's disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.

An application for DCA in respect of their child was received from the person concerned on 20 September 2024.

A Deciding Officer has disallowed the application for DCA in respect of the person concerned as per decision letter dated 4 November 2024, on the grounds that the child was not considered to satisfy the above condition for DCA. As part of the decision process, the Deciding Officer had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor (MA) in making their decision and a copy of that MA opinion was issued with the decision letter.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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284. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection what efforts can be made to assist a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46037/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme which is the safety net within the overall social welfare system, helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANP)s. 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.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a basic SWA payment while a decision is pending on her Jobseekers Transitional Payment application. This basic SWA claim is currently awaiting further information to be supplied by the person concerned in relation to her self-employment. However, the person met with a Community Welfare Officer on 05/11/2024 at the Maynooth Social Welfare Branch Office and was issued with an ANP of €275 while her basic SWA claim is pending. Once the required documentation for the persons basic SWA claim has been received, the claim will be reviewed promptly, and the customer will be advised of the outcome in writing.

Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a social welfare payment for people who are parenting alone, whose youngest child is aged between 7 and 14. It is a means-tested payment. Qualifying conditions for JST can be found here gov.ie - Jobseeker's Transitional Payment (www.gov.ie) .

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for JST payment on 19/09/2024. This claim is currently being examined by a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI). When the SWI completes their investigation, a decision will issue to the person in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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285. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether the family of a deceased person (details supplied) might receive consideration for ENP to meet financial costs arising from the death of both parents given that both parents died intestate, and the family home remains occupied by family members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46038/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help assist with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.

I would refer the Deputy to previous Dáil Question 910, which outlined that the claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the basis that the deceased person owned assets from which all outstanding debts, including the funeral costs can be paid once a Grant of Probate, which should be initiated by the next of kin, has been obtained. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome and affording them the opportunity to seek a review issued to them on 18/07/2024.

A Reviewing Officer reviewed the claim made by the person concerned and considering the circumstances of the case, upheld the original decision made by the Designated Person. This position has not changed.

If the person concerned feels that they have been treated unfairly, they still have the right of recourse to contact The Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773, Telephone number: 01-639 5600 / 1890 22 30 30, Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.