Aindrias Moynihan
Question:648. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection to reassess an application for additional needs payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71990/25]
View answerTuesday, 16 December 2025
Questions (648)
Written answers
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to assist people with essential expenditure, which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income, and personal or household resources. SWA payments 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. 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.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP on the 21/10/2025 for assistance towards furnishing their new home.
On 06/11/2025, the person concerned advised that they had received a loan from a family member and had kitted out the property themselves with these funds. This included all furniture, white goods, curtains and some flooring. The person concerned stated that only flooring in the one area of their home was still outstanding. The person concerned was awarded a payment towards the cost of this flooring as the only immediate need that remained. A letter advising them of this outcome and offering them the opportunity to seek a review, issued on 06/11/2025.
It should be noted that ANPs are intended to address essential and immediate needs and not for the repayment of loans once a need has been met.
Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, Exceptional Needs Payments and Urgent Needs Payments, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
The Review Officer who has responsibility for reassessing the claim, must do so independently of the original CWOs decision, basing their decision on all information presented by the customer, including any new information provided.
At the Deputy’s request by email, a SWA Review Officer reviewed the claim of the person concerned and considering all the circumstances of the case, upheld the original decision made by the initial CWO on this claim. A letter advising the person concerned of the outcome of this review issued to them in writing on 18/11/2025.
If the person concerned feels that they have been treated unfairly, they have the right of recourse to contact The Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773, Telephone number: 01-639 5600 / 1890 22 30 30, Email: [ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie] .
I trust this clarifies the matter.