Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 March 2025
106. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has paid for the repair of any vehicles owned by asylum seekers or Ukrainian migrants; and if so, the total amount spent on this expenditure for each of the last five years. [14357/25]
View answerUnder 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 payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
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. Entitlement only arises where a person can demonstrate that the expenditure is essential and that they have no means of funding the expenditure themselves.
An Additional Needs Payment may be provided to assist with car repairs. In considering such an application, the assessment of the requirement would include investigation of the necessities for the use of the vehicle and whether alternative sources of transport are available to the person and their household, such as another family vehicle or public transport.
It is not possible to extract data solely related to Additional Needs Payments provided towards car repairs as this information is not recorded or collated.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
