The number of additional needs payments issued by the Department of Social Protection this year to households who cannot pay for essential expenses like heating bills or furniture and bedding has risen by almost 60 per cent compared to last year.
There is no set rate for the additional needs payment, according to the department.
The department said the rise in the number of applications reflects increased awareness of the payments following two advertising campaigns this year.Social Democrats spokesman on social protection, Gary Gannon TD, said this waiting time is proving stressful for families. “If you have a utility bill today that you can’t pay, and you’re waiting two months for a decision on whether you can get the additional needs payment or not ... you would expect it in a more timely manner given it is an emergency payment.”
“In rural areas, the cost of home heating has gone up, people are relying on bulk deliveries of kerosene for example, and it has literally doubled in price. It would have cost around €600 to fill an oil tank last year and that has now doubled to €1200 or €1400,” he said.
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