Social Welfare Schemes
Dail Éireann — 2022-11-29
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Joan Collins (I4C), Dublin South-Central

I thank the Minister. The information on the additional needs payment gives a list of who can get the payment. The guidance states:
You can get the Additional Needs Payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income. For example:
- An increase in your fuel or electricity costs
- Essential repairs to property, including motor vehicles ...
- Funeral costs
- Deposits for private rented accommodation
- Bedding and cooking utensils, if you are setting up home for the first time
- Food, clothing and shelter after an emergency event such as a fire or flood
- Recurring travel costs to hospital
- Visiting a relative in hospital or prison
That confuses people. They say they cannot apply for a specific clothing allowance under those criteria. That is why I am raising the issue. It should also be specifically for a clothing allowance and specifically with regard to the cost of living. It is definitely something that should be looked at from that point of view. If a person can apply for it and not have to go to a CWO, it would be better for that person to be able to apply for it officially through those channels. I know the Minister said there is a little discretion but I still think that people are very confused when reading that.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:51:21+00:00
Sitting date: 2022-11-29