I wish to raise a specific issue on the cost of living which we discussed again this morning. Is the Government considering setting up a hardship emergency fund? I raised this two weeks ago and the ESRI has also raised the need to establish an emergency hardship fund to help meet exceptional need payments, such a fund to be administered by the community welfare officers based in the community not in Intreo offices. That would allow for emergency payments for individuals and families most affected by the rise in energy bills and the general cost of living as close to the community as possible. It would be a crucial measure to target assistance to those who most need it. In recent days, Barnardos has also called for community welfare offices to distribute a particular emergency fund in the communities.

We have given that issue some consideration. It has been discussed with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys. Her view, which I agree with, is that the existing community welfare service is the service that we should continue to use to issue exceptional needs payments. It does not require a separate fund because there is already a fund for exceptional needs payments which is worth around €40 million a year. It is not capped or budget limited but demand led. I encourage people who have a genuine need who are struggling to pay a utility bill to engage with their community welfare officer. Exceptional needs payments can be made and there is no cap on the budget.