Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
458. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether housing and funeral cost supports provided to survivors of residential institutional abuse are statutory entitlements or discretionary measures; whether binding written guidance has issued to local authorities and Community Welfare Officers [36524/26]
View answer481. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether local authorities have received formal written guidance, circulars or operational instructions regarding prioritisation of housing supports for survivors of residential institutional abuse; and if she will provide copies of such guidance. [36716/26]
View answer482. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether Community Welfare Officers are operating under formal criteria or guidance when assessing funeral support applications linked to survivors of residential institutional abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36717/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 458, 481 and 482 together.
The provision of housing and funeral costs supports to survivors is, in the first instance, a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Social protection respectively. My Department does not have a direct role in that regard.
However, with regard to housing supports, I understand that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has written to each Local Authority requesting they use their existing powers under the Housing Acts and Regulations to prioritise social housing support on compassionate grounds to survivors of industrial and reformatory schools. In order to assist survivors, each local authority has identified a dedicated housing liaison officer who will act as a contact point for information and guidance on how to access appropriate support to meet their housing need.
With regard to funeral costs, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department of Social Protection may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet funeral and burial expenses that a person, including a survivor of a residential institution, cannot pay from their weekly income and personal and/or household resources.
The ANP scheme is demand-led and administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
An ANP application can be made by survivors of residential institutions for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family or the estate of the deceased person without causing hardship. A dedicated contact point has been provided to allow survivors make direct contact with the CWS for assistance with funeral costs. In considering any claim that emerges CWOs will give specific consideration and recognition to survivors of residential institutions for funeral costs.
