192. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial assistance available from her Department for assistance with substantial arrears of household energy bills (details supplied). [27712/24]

There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme.  These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).

My Department may make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.  This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs), and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.  ANPs are administered by Designated Persons (DP) in the CWS considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

Departmental records show that the persons concerned have not made a recent  application for assistance under the SWA scheme.  If the persons concerned are experiencing financial difficulties, they can apply for assistance by completing a SWA1 form and providing all relevant documents in support of their application. For convenience, an application pack has been posted to persons' home address.  On receipt of a completed application form and supporting documentation, the claim will be assessed, and the persons concerned will be advised of the outcome in writing.  Alternatively, if the persons concerned have a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

Further information on all of my Department’s schemes and payments is available at www.gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.