Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
663. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address the case of a lone parent (details supplied) whose one parent family payment has been suspended; the reason for the suspension; if he will review the decision as a matter of urgency; and if he will confirm that the constituent has co-operated fully with all requests and procedures during the process. [72437/25]
View answerTo qualify for One Parent Family Payment, a person must satisfy the conditions for the scheme. Persons in receipt of Department of Social Protection schemes, including Oner Parent Family Payment, may also have their entitlement reviewed from time to time to ensure they continue to satisfy the conditions.
The One-Parent Family Payment of the person concerned was referred to the Social Welfare Inspector as part of a routine control review in July 2025. Following investigation, the Social Welfare Inspector was not satisfied that the person concerned continued to satisfy the conditions for receipt of the payment. The person did not submit all the necessary information, including bank statements, requested as part of the review. In addition the Social Welfare Inspector was not satisfied that the person had disclosed all of their means.
As a result, the One-Parent Family Payment claim was disallowed from 16/10/2025. The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter dated 14/10/2025 and advised that, if they were not satisfied with the decision, they could send in any facts or evidence to the Department and a Deciding Officer would review the decision. The person was also advised they could appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which provides an independent appeals service.
While the person has provided additional information following this disallowance decision of 14/10/25, the specific information requested by the Social Welfare Inspector remains outstanding.
The person has now appealed the decision to disallow the One-Parent Family Payment claim and the case is currently with the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I understand the person concerned has applied for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment, a number of documents are still outstanding in relation to this application. The Community Welfare Service will now contact the person concerned to follow up.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
