Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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664. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if social welfare recipients can be refused an additional needs payment to help cover the increased cost of fuel or heating because they are in receipt of the fuel allowance, given the cost of fuel has increased and the fuel allowance does not meet the current cost, nor is it set to meet the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2502/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources.

The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

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. While receipt of Fuel Allowance does not specifically disqualify a person from receipt of an Additional Needs Payment, consideration is given to any State supports that may already be available to the person.

Furthermore, under the scheme, a Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances that have exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition and are unable to meet those costs out of household income. Heating supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the year.

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 this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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665. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused an additional needs payment for being in receipt of the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2503/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) is to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.

Departmental records show that the person concerned applied for an ANP on 07/01/2025 to assist with the cost of home heating oil. This claim was disallowed on the basis that the person concerned is currently in receipt of Fuel Allowance. A letter issued to the person concerned on 21/01/2025 advising her of this outcome and affording her the opportunity to seek a review of the Designated Person’s (DP) decision.

Following the Deputy’s enquiry on behalf of the person concerned, a Reviewing Officer reviewed the claim and considering the circumstances of the case, upheld the original decision made by the DP on the basis that the cost of utility bills and heating costs are not unforeseen costs and therefore are expected to be paid from a person’s weekly household income. The person concerned was notified in writing of this review outcome on 31/01/2025.

Where any customer, including the person concerned has been impacted by Storm Éowyn, they may apply to the Department of Social Protection for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible households affected by a severe weather event.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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667. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2541/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision shortly.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.