Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
765. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if a constituent (details supplied) is forbidden from getting a second Community Welfare Payment when moving into a council house, 14-years after getting a payment when moving into their previous council house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35053/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet once-off essential expenditure that an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income or personal and household resources. ANPs are 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.
The specific purpose of an ANP is to assist with immediate and essential expenses in situations of exceptional or urgent need. It is only intended to provide once-off short-term assistance where no other options are available.
All ANP applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. Receipt of an ANP in the past does not prevent a person from receiving an ANP in the future, neither is a person moving from one local authority property to another prevented from applying for assistance to furnish their new home.
As part of the application process, a person is asked to provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as is necessary.
According to departmental records, the person concerned recently applied for an ANP to assist with the cost of furnishing her new home. A CWO visited the property on 05/05/2026 to assess the need identified in the application but the person concerned was unavailable, and she later indicated by phone that she could not facilitate another home visit. The person concerned was requested to furnish additional documentation to allow a determination to be made on the claim.
Upon receipt of the requested documentation and agreement on a suitable date/time for a repeat home visit, the person's claim will be assessed, and she will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
