To ask the Minister for Social Development for his assessment of the support provided by the Social Fund and Community Care Grants system to working parents on a low income, who have a child with a disability.

The Social Fund scheme comprises a regulated element which provides entitlement to maternity, funeral, cold weather and winter fuel payments and a discretionary element made up of, Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans. Subject to working parents on a low income satisfying the relevant qualifying conditions, they may be entitled to Cold Weather Payments, Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans to meet the specific needs of a disabled child.

My Department’s Annual Report on the Social Fund was published on 17 December 2014 and provides details of the £82 million paid out from the discretionary element of the Social Fund during 2013/14. The report highlights that over:

129,000 Budgeting Loans were awarded totalling £53.69 million

103,000 Crisis Loans awards totalling £14.45 million were made

20,000 Community Care Grants awards totalling £13.69 million were made

Information is not recorded separately on applications specifically related to disabled children, however, these figures are a clear indication that for thousands of people across Northern Ireland who are on low incomes, the Social Fund provides valuable assistance in helping them cope with unforeseen emergencies and managing unanticipated expenditure.