311. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of a person (details supplied) for an exceptional needs payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52384/26]

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that an eligible person 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 for assistance with furnishing a new accommodation. Where a person accepts an allocation of housing and faces increased or exceptional costs including essential household items, an ANP may be considered to help meet these additional costs. A CWO will assess such applications on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the individual or households’ previous accommodation, financial situation, available resources, the necessity of the expenditure, and the overall suitability of the assistance requested. This ensures that individuals transitioning to new housing are supported where a genuine financial need exists.

According to the records of my department, the person concerned applied for an ANP to assist with the cost of furnishing their new home. This application was processed, and the person was awarded a payment of €2790 in contribution towards white goods, single beds, wardrobes and blinds. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome and affording him the opportunity to seek a review of the decision issued to him on 08/04/2026.

Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, Exceptional Needs Payments and Urgent Needs Payments, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.

Following a request from the person concerned, a SWA Review Officer reviewed their claim and upheld the original decision made by the CWO on the basis that the person was deemed to have enough financial means in the form of savings to cover the remainder of the costs of furnishing their new home from their own resources. The person was advised of this review outcome in writing on 24/04/2026.

If the person concerned feels that they have been treated unfairly, they have the right of recourse to contact The Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773, Telephone number: 01-639 5600 / 1890 22 30 30, Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie

I trust this clarifies the matter.