Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
559. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments issued in each of the past three years to assist households with electricity costs; the total expenditure incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31914/26]
View answerUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot meet from their own resources, including those who face difficulties in meeting fuel and electricity bills.
Table 1 shows the number of payments issued and associated expenditure to assist with heating and household bills, including electricity bills from 2023-2026 (end of March).
My Department also publishes quarterly statistics on Additional Needs Payments in the Quarterly Statistics report, which is available on gov.ie.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1- Number of Additional Needs Payments issued annually and associated expenditure to assist with household bills and heating, including electricity bills from 2023-2026(end of March).
|
Category |
No of payments 2023 |
Expenditure 2023 |
No of payments 2024 |
Expenditure 2024 |
No of payments 2025 |
Expenditure 2025 |
No of payments 2026 |
Expenditure 2026 |
|
Household Bills |
2,935 |
€1,563,111 |
1,709 |
€1,003,471 |
1,647 |
€965,181 |
506 |
€251,289 |
|
Heating |
2,897 |
€1,432,350 |
1,512 |
€713,941 |
984 |
€432,795 |
304 |
€140,153 |
|
Total |
5,832 |
€2,995,461 |
3,221 |
€1,717,412 |
2,631 |
€1,397,976 |
810 |
€391,442 |
