Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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688. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if financial assistance is available to persons who rely on medical devices powered by electricity to purchase electricity generators as a back-up in case of a power outage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2947/25]

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. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered.

Where a person resides in their own home and relies on a medical device powered by electricity, the person should contact the Health Service Executive with any concerns they may have regarding the powering of such devices.

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.