Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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365. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether an exceptional needs payment, or similar, can be made in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29058/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Rent Supplement (RS) scheme administered by my Department, provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.

The responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department of Social Protection to the local authorities. Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports, including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

Among other qualifying conditions for RS, a person must on commencement of the tenancy, have been able to reasonably afford the rent and have since experienced a substantial change in his or her circumstances where they are now unable to pay the rent.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for RS and their claim was disallowed as it was deemed that they were unable to afford the rent at the commencement of tenancy. It was also noted that the rent for their property is significantly above comparable rents in their area and is substantially above the maximum rent limit for the person’s family circumstances. The person concerned was advised of this outcome in writing on 12/06/2024.

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. SWA payments are means tested and are administered by Community Welfare Officers in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

Departmental records show that the person concerned has not made an application for assistance under the SWA scheme. If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties with household/cost-of-living expenses, it is open to them to make an application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if the person concerned has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP, at www.MyWelfare.ie.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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366. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a recent grant of arrears was not backdated to the date of application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29063/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and habitual residency conditions.

I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 10 August 2022. The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 10 August 2022. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 05 October 2022. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 13 September 2022.

Arrears of payment due from 10 August 2022 to 11 July 2023 issued to the person concerned on 05 July 2023. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 5 July 2023.

Following a review of the person concerned DA, based on the information provided to my Department, the maximum personal rate of DA has been applied to their payment with effect from 15 May 2024. In addition, the maximum rate in respect of Qualified Children has been applied to their payment with effect from 11 January 2023. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 14 June 2024.

Arrears of payment due from 11 January 2023 to 18 June 2024 issued to the person concerned nominated Bank Account on 19 June 2024 . A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 14 June 2024.

Between 10 August 2022 and 11 October2022, the spouse of the person concerned was claiming for the whole family on his Jobseekers Benefit payment. Between 12 November 2022 and 10 January 2023, both the person concerned and her spouse were claiming a half rate Increase for Qualified Child (IQC) for each child on their respective payments.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.