More than \u20ac17 million was provided in emergency payments over the past two years to people struggling with the cost of burying loved ones. <\/p>\n
The spending was part of more than \u20ac133 million paid out by the Department of Social Protection<\/a> in additional needs payments in 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n Additional needs payments are aimed at helping people with expenses they cannot pay from their own income. Eligibility depends on income and social welfare payments. Income and circumstances are assessed for each applicant. <\/p>\n About \u20ac71 million in total was paid for the \u201ckit out\u201d of new accommodation for welfare recipients. <\/p>\n About 4,900 people were granted assistance for burials, totalling \u20ac9.33 million in 2024 and a further \u20ac7.86 million in 2025. The average payment for funeral expenses was around \u20ac3,500, according to data released under Freedom of Information laws. <\/p>\n A total of \u20ac6.6 million was granted for \u201cadult clothing\u201d in about 53,000 cases \u2013 roughly \u20ac125 per payment. There was \u20ac526,000-worth of spending on bedding and \u20ac178,000 for children\u2019s clothing.<\/p>\n The Department of Social Protection also sanctioned \u20ac52,000 in payments for nappies and \u20ac241,000 for the purchase of cots.<\/p>\n A further \u20ac215,000 was paid in \u201cconfinement costs\u201d, understood to relate to childbirth, and \u20ac1.295 million for floor coverings.<\/p>\n The department allocated \u20ac9.11 million for furniture in 6,015 applications, or an average of about \u20ac1,500 per payment.<\/p>\n