There was 390 special needs payments paid out across the Northern Sound region in Q1 of 2026.
That’s according to figures released by the Minister for Social Protection last week.
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The Minister was asked about the payment figures by local TD, Brendan Smith.
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Minister Dara Calleary explained that the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system.
He said it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
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In Monaghan there has been 220 payments made in Q1 of 2025, down from 306 in Q1 2025.
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There was also a decrease in Co. Cavan.
In Q1 2026, there was 175 payments made, down from 292 in the same period in Q1 2025.
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Nationally, there was 17 thousand payments made in Q1 in 2025, and 14 thousand in Q1 2026.
