Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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513. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he is aware that people are receiving letters informing them they are not eligible for the exceptional needs payment because they got it before, in some cases two years ago; if the Minister will ensure that this stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56588/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my 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 or household and personal resources. ANPs are administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

All ANP applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. There is no restriction in place to limit the frequency of application. Claims received are subject to 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 and that of their spouse, where applicable.

The specific purpose of an ANP is to assist with immediate and essential expenses in situations of exceptional or urgent need. It is only intended to provide once-off short-term assistance where no other options are available.

Where there is a persistent financial challenge for an individual or family to meet ongoing costs, it is recommended that they contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) for budgetary advice at www.Mabs.ie or by phone on 0818 072000. Engagement with MABs is not a condition for receipt of ANP assistance.

If the Deputy is aware of a specific case at issue, she should direct the person to their local Intreo Centre where they can speak to a Community Welfare Officer to discuss their specific circumstances and so that their difficulty can be examined. Alternatively, the Deputy should forward the details to the Department to assess the options that may be available.

I trust this clarifies the matter.