James Geoghegan
Ceist:437. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11124/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 12 February 2026
Ceisteanna (437)
Freagraí scríofa
The basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (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. 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 and are means tested. The means test assesses all household income, savings, shares, investments, or property owned (apart from the applicant’s home).
As part of the application process, a person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as considered necessary.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a basic SWA on 31 October 2025 pending the outcome of their Disability Allowance claim. This claim was not progressed as although some information was provided, not all the information necessary was made available. The person concerned made another claim on 7 January 2026 and was requested to provide outstanding information.
As the requested information was only partly received, the basic SWA claim for the person concerned was disallowed on the basis that person did not make a full disclosure of their means. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome and affording them the opportunity to seek a review and/or appeal issued to them on 03/02/2026.
Departmental records show that the person concerned has recently appealed the decision on their basic SWA claim directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office which operates independently of this Department. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of this appeal in due course. If the person concerned has any queries in relation to their appeal, they should contact the Social Welfare Appeals Office, D'Olier House, D'Olier Street, Dublin, D02 XY31, Email: swappeals@welfare.ie, Telephone: 0818 747434; 01 6732800.
The person concerned can also engage with the Community Welfare Service in the Bishop Square Intreo Office directly in relation to the outstanding information.
I trust this clarifies the matter.