Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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982.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not received any payment from her Department since May 2024, who has been admitted to hospital recently due to the stress of the situation; the procedure to be followed to ensure payment is reinstated as quickly as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34983/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).

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. Separately, 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. 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. SWA payments are administered by Designated Persons (DP) in the CWS considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a basic SWA on 09/08/2024. Correspondence issued to the person 12/8/24 and 21/8/24 in which she was asked to provide further documentation in support of her claim. While this information was partially received, a further request for information issued to the person concerned on 27/08/2024 and the following information remains outstanding:

• A claim application for a primary scheme payment.• Proof of means for the period the person was abroad and verification of her address for that time.• Proof of the person's means since returning to Ireland.• Fully completed HRC form including the dates that the person concerned left the country and returned.• Confirmation that the children of the person concerned are in full time education, verification of this is required.

Departmental records also show that the person concerned applied for an ANP on 21/08/2024 for assistance with the cost of rent arrears and a utility bill. A request for further supporting information issued to the person concerned on 22/08/2024 and on 26/08/2024 and my Department awaits submission of the following documents:

• Copy of bills associated with the claim.• Evidence of a repayment plan in place with the person’s energy company and with Kildare County Council.

Upon receipt of all the necessary documentation, the person’s claims will be assessed promptly, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter.