Written Answers Nos. 161-180
161. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he intends to review the current weekly means limit for the increase for qualified adult allowance for recipients of the State pension with a view to increasing the current means limit of €100, which has remained unchanged for several years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides State Pension payments through the State Pension (Contributory), which is a contributory based payment based on a person's social insurance record and the State Pension (Non-Contributory) which is means-tested social assistance payment. A State pension (contributory) recipient can claim an increase on their pension in respect of a qualified adult where the eligibility conditions for this means-tested payment are satisfied.An Increase for qualified adult (IQA) is payable at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the qualified adult are not more than €100 per week. Reduced rates are payable where means are over €100 and not more than €310 per week. No increase is payable where means are in excess of €310 per week.Means tests and income thresholds are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years. In particular, a number of changes to means testing which provide for higher income disregards have been introduced. These disregards ensure that, where people are in receipt of a means tested payment from my Department and are working, a certain level of income from that work is not assessed in the means test.A comprehensive review of means testing in the social protection system is currently under way in my Department. The purpose of the review of means testing is to look at the different means tested schemes and to identify any issues in terms of the application of the respective means test.The outcome of the review will inform decisions regarding any potential changes to means testing, including in the run up to Budget 2026. All prospective changes to means testing arrangements will have to be considered in both an overall policy and budgetary context.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
162. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if, further to the most recent fine imposed on his Department by the data protection commissioner for deficiencies in compliance with data protection rules, he will provide details of each Government Department or agency that this data was shared with; if he will confirm that the data in question has been deleted by his Department and/or other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33107/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received a copy of the Data Protection Commission’s (DPC) final decision on the processing of biometric templates in connection with the SAFE registration process on 9th June 2025.
The biometric template created by my Department, as part of the SAFE identity authentication process, is not stored on an individual’s PSC and is not shared with any other Department or organisation. Therefore the question raised by the Deputy does not arise. The data is stored only on a secure database and is used only by my Department’s facial matching system. It should be noted that the DPC did not find any evidence of inadequate technical and organisational security measures and that there are no examples of any person suffering damage or loss as a result of SAFE registration.
The DPC decision does not find that there is no legal provision for the processing involved but that the legal provision that exists is not, in its view, clear and precise enough to satisfy the requirements of GDPR.
The DPC decision allows the Department nine months to identify a valid legal basis. The decision therefore has no immediate implications for the processing of this data, or for users of the PSC or MyGovID or anyone wishing to, register or avail of, these services in the next nine months.
My Department is carefully considering the DPC's decision report in conjunction with colleagues in the Attorney General's Office with a view to determining an appropriate response within the nine month timeframe provided for in the decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure entitlement to disability allowance for young people who have been in receipt of domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33138/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is a means tested payment for people who are aged between 16 and 66 with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable. The payment is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement. Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly non-means tested payment of €360 to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability. The child must require care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age. Eligibility is not based on a specific disability or diagnosis, but rather on the impact of the condition and the level of care and attention required by the child.Domiciliary Care Allowance stops being paid when a child reaches 16 years of age. This aligns with the age of eligibility for Disability Allowance. If the young person continues to have a disability that significantly impacts their daily life, they can then apply for a Disability Allowance payment in their own name of €244 per week. If their parent or guardian continues to provide full-time care they can then retain, or apply for, a carer's payment.Given the fundamentally different qualifying conditions for the two schemes - one being a means tested disability payment and the other a non-means tested payment for carers - it would not be appropriate to provide for automatic entitlement between them.
164. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection The actions taken to increase the upper age limit for domiciliary care allowance from 16 to 18 years of age; if he will consider a straight transition on to disability benefit where possible, to reduce red tape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32976/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly non-means-tested payment of €360 to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability. The child must require care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age.
Domiciliary Care Allowance stops being paid when a child reaches 16 years of age. This aligns with the age of eligibility for Disability Allowance. If the young person continues to have a disability that significantly impacts their daily life, they can then apply for a Disability Allowance payment in their own name of €244 per week. If their parent or guardian continues to provide full-time care they can then retain, or apply for, a carer's payment.
Domiciliary Care Allowance and Disability Allowance are designed for different purposes. Domiciliary Care Allowance is a payment to assist parents who have a child whose care needs are greater than that of other children of the same age. Eligibility is not means tested or based on social insurance contributions. Disability Allowance is a means-tested income support payment for people who's illness or disability means that they are substantially restricted from doing work that would be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualifications. As such, the eligibility conditions for the schemes are different and it would not be appropriate to introduce a system whereby a person was simply moved directly from one scheme to the other on reaching age 16.
The Green Paper on Disability Reform was a consultation document in which the idea of extend the upper age limit for Domiciliary Care Allowance and the lower age limit for Disability Allowance to 18 years of age was one of the issues considered. The Green Paper was withdrawn on foot of stakeholder feedback.
In terms of Domiciliary Care Allowance more broadly, the Programme for Government commits to protecting the Free Travel Pass and examining extending it to children in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance. It also contains a commitment to progressively increasing the Domiciliary Care Allowance payment. These commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the government and in light of available resources.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
165. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions his Department will take to alleviate the issue of the great difficulty persons have in meeting with the community welfare officers; if he will consider reverting back to holding individual clinics in smaller towns like Portartlington, Mountmellick, Durrow and Stradbally in Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32974/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of vital locally based Community Welfare Services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens across the country is a priority for me and for my department. The Community Welfare Service (CWS) provides a flexible service to meet the different needs of clients, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is a priority that this service is easily accessible and responsive to our client’s needs.Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are physically on site daily in over 50 locations across the country where they are available without an appointment, during business hours, Monday to Friday. In addition to meeting people in Intreo Centres and Department of Social Protection offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home. This reflects my commitment to continue to support the delivery of locally based services.A CWO is generally available to meet with clients, living in the areas of Portarlington, Mountmellick, Durrow and Stradbally in the Co. Laois area during business hours Monday to Friday in the Government Buildings, Abbeyliex Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. However, works are currently underway within this building and so, temporary alternative arrangements have been put in place to facilitate continue access to services as required. Temporary arrangements include a walk in service which is available during the morning period in Portlaoise Social Welfare Branch Office from this week with appointments remaining available in the afternoons in Government Buildings.While local face-to-face engagement with people continues to be a cornerstone of the CWS, it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application. Any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to arrange to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. A person from any location can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to an office to meet with a CWO in person. This service is much used by customers in rural areas in particular, who can have their needs met or their issue clarified without the requirement to travel.Where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day. CWOs also have the facility to issue and do issue same-day manual cheque payments where it is deemed necessary. I trust this clarifies the matter.
166. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending illness benefit to the self-employed; the estimated increase in PRSI rates that would be required to meet this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32947/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSelf-employed contributors pay class S PRSI at a rate of 4.1%. This is 11.15 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.25% made in respect of employed contributors. However, self-employed contributors do have access to over 90% of benefits available to employed contributors.
The Programme for Government includes an action to explore the option of giving self-employed workers access to illness benefit by means of making a higher PRSI contribution. My Department has commenced work in this regard. This work includes analysis and assessments of potential costings and the appropriate PRSI rates required in those contexts.
Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
167. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department regularly shares data with the Criminal Assets Bureau of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32786/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Criminal Assets Bureau exists as an independent corporate body as provided for under section 3 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996.Section 8 of the CAB Act provides for the appointment of officers of the Bureau from An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection who operate in an inter-agency and multi-disciplinary structure within the Bureau.Officers of the Bureau including those seconded from my Department continue to be vested with the powers and duties of office, in this case Social Welfare Inspectors, notwithstanding their appointment as Bureau Officers. Officers of the Criminal Assets Bureau share information within the meaning of Section 8 of the 1996 Act.I trust that this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
168. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm that parents/guardians of children who are blind and in receipt of a free travel pass will also receive a travel pass in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33131/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm that the parents of a child (details supplied) who is blind and in receipt of a free travel pass would also receive a travel pass in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33462/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 344 together.
A person, including a child, who is visually impaired and who meets the medical conditions for Blind Pension, or alternatively is registered as blind with Vision Ireland or the League of the Blind of Ireland, can qualify for a Free Travel Companion pass.
A Companion Free Travel Card entitles the holder to have any one person, aged 16 years or over, to accompany him/her free of charge when travelling.
The Department does not provide a separate free travel pass to the carer of the companion pass holder unless they are in receipt of the Carer's Allowance payment.
Alternatively, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, a travel supplement may be paid where there is a recurring travel expense, for example, where a person has ongoing travel costs for hospital visits. These payments are awarded at the discretion of the Community Welfare Service after a consideration of all the relevant circumstances of the case. Further information on the SWA scheme can be found at www.gov.ie/swaoffices or by contacting 0818 607080.
Any decision to provide a Free Travel Pass to the parents or guardians of children who are blind can only be considered while taking account of the overall scheme policy and the availability of financial resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
169. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection to detail any plans he has to review the wage subsidy scheme. [31582/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to people with disabilities through a subsidy.Last year, my Department published a review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme, following a public consultation, to make the scheme more flexible and effective. The review made six recommendations, including to reduce the minimum required hours of the scheme, and to expand the scheme to employers outside of the private sector and to those on Partial Capacity Benefit. An additional €3.7 million was allocated to implement the review’s recommendations.In April 2024, the minimum hours for the scheme were reduced from 21 to 15 hours. This change will help make sure employees who are offered substantial work while also making the scheme more accessible.The terms ‘productivity deficit’ and ‘productivity shortfall’ were removed from the scheme. To qualify for the updated scheme, the employee’s ability to work must be limited due to their disability or health condition and, as a result, the employee’s tasks or role need to be significantly adapted by the employer. Removing these terms from the scheme aligns the scheme better with the social model of disability and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.The review also recommended to regularly review the subsidy rate. As part of Budget 2022, my Department increased the base subsidy rate from €5.30 to €6.30 per hour and we have implemented that change.The final recommendation was to promote and increase awareness of the scheme. Earlier this month, I formally launched the reformed scheme together with the Taoiseach, Minister Foley and Minister of State Naughton in attendance. We are also now running a media campaign to raise awareness of this very beneficial scheme for employers and employees.The Programme for Government commits to reviewing the minimum hours requirement under the Wage Subsidy Scheme and examining an increase in the payment rate.We will advance those commitments over the lifetime of the Government and in light of available resources.I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
170. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the improvements he is planning in relation to the living alone allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32979/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary weekly social welfare payments are intended to enable recipients to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. In addition to these primary payments, my Department also provides a range of other payments on a weekly, monthly, or less frequent basis. These payments are considered secondary in nature and cannot be made available to those who are not in receipt of a primary payment.The Living Alone Increase (LAI) is one of those secondary payments. It is not a scheme or a stand-alone payment, but it is a supplement to a primary social protection payment of €22 per week made to people aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. For those aged 66 or over, payments eligible for the LAI include State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit. LAI is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.There are no circumstances where the LAI can be paid to people who are not in receipt of a primary qualifying payment from my Department or who do not meet the living alone eligibility criteria. Any change to the qualifying criteria and the rate payable for this payment would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
171. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on his attendance at the annual carers’ forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32902/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is committed to hosting the Annual Carers’ Forum. The purpose of the Forum is to provide carers with a voice at policy level. It also provides an opportunity for engagement between officials and people experiencing care issues first-hand.I was delighted to attend and present at this year’s Annual Carers’ Forum held on 28 May and the opportunity it gave me to engage with the carer organisations and family carers themselves to hear directly from them about the issues they experience firsthand. I really appreciate carers taking the time to attend the forum, whether in person or on line. I am very grateful to them for attending and for sharing their very personal issues on the day. I know none of that is easy.Family Carers Ireland and Care Alliance Ireland are our partners for the event. It was really interesting to hear from them about the importance services and supports they provide to family carers. I want to also thank them for their involvement.Issues such as extending allowances or increasing means test thresholds are discussed at these events. Of course, the issues faced by carers are not just ones related to my Department. Issues in relation to education and access to respite care are also critical. So, I was pleased that we had officials from a number of departments and the event and participating in the workshops. This level of engagement has helped inform some of the considerable improvements that have been introduced for carers in recent years.A comprehensive note of proceedings outlining the day’s event and the issues raised at this year’s Forum is currently being prepared and will be published on the department’s website in due course. A video of the event will also be available on the website.In order to learn of and assess priorities within the sector, my department actively engages with carers’ representative groups on an ongoing basis.As part of the annual budgetary process my department invites pre-Budget submissions from representative bodies. As well as giving consideration to the submissions received, my department hosts an annual Pre-Budget Forum which representative bodies attend. It will be held on 17 July this year.The Pre-Budget Forum will provide a further opportunity for me to meet with groups from the community and voluntary sector, including carer’s representative groups, offering me a deeper insight into the issues that carers are most concerned about in the context of the next Budget.I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to engagement and dialogue with carers on the issues that matter to them.
172. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on his engagement to encourage employers to utilise the wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32901/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving the lives of disabled people is a priority for the Government. A key element of this is to provide pathways to employment, and the Wage Subsidy Scheme facilitates this by encouraging employers to employ people with a disability through a subsidy.The Deputy may be aware that at the recent launch of the updated Wage Subsidy Scheme I was joined by An Taoiseach and also by my colleagues Minister Foley and Minister of State Naughton, as well as by a wide range of employers and employees who are availing of the scheme. At the same event I was delighted to launch a national information campaign on the Wage Subsidy Scheme; the Deputy will have heard the advertisements in the national media over the last number of weeks.My Department produces a very useful guide to Employer Services and Supports, which sets out the benefits of the Wage Subsidy Scheme, and explains how to avail of it. This guide is available both as a leaflet which is available at Department offices and at our employer events, and as an online resource.As well as promotional events, the Employer Relations team in my Department engages locally with employers to encourage use of all the Department's schemes, including the Wage Subsidy Scheme. Finally, my Department engages with employers and employer representative bodies to identify possible improvements in the administrative procedures around the Wage Subsidy Scheme, so as to make it as easy as possible for employers to avail of the scheme.
173. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of the carers allowance at year end for each of the past ten years; and the current total number in receipt of the allowance. [32430/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of persons in receipt of Carer's Allowance at year end for each of the past 10 years is shown below, along with number of persons in receipt as of the end of May 2025:
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
End of May 2025 |
|
63,003 |
70,459 |
75,264 |
79,914 |
84,028 |
88,906 |
90,889 |
92,175 |
95,787 |
97,985 |
100,251 |
174. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure that his Department will examine the case for TDs having direct access, a local dedicated phoneline or service, in particular for rent allowance, so TDs can speak with the community welfare officers section when necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32975/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has longstanding direct contact arrangements in place for Deputies. The Department provides a dedicated TD enquiry line and mailbox for each of the main schemes where Deputies can raise specific queries for their constituents directly with the relevant scheme area by phone or email. The enquiry lines and mailboxes are monitored daily to ensure an efficient and effective response is provided to queries raised.My Department also operates within the Parliamentary Question (PQ) system and the Public Representative question to the Minister (REPs) system. All are designed to ensure that TDs have a variety of mechanisms to raise issues relating to their constituents or to the operation of the Department.As the Community Welfare Services (CWS) administers Rent Supplement, enquires in relation to Rent Supplement can be raised directly through the dedicated CWS TD enquiry line and mailbox.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
176. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a breakdown, by county, of the number of persons who have qualified for the new pay-related benefit since it was introduced; if he will confirm the average payment rate under the scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32946/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is a payment for people whose first day of unemployment is on or after 31 March 2025 and who have sufficient pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
An individual's rate of payment is directly linked to their previous earnings subject to a maximum or minimum rate. If they have 5 or more years of contributions, their payment will be 60% of their gross earnings for the first 13 weeks, up to a maximum of €450 per week. If they have 2 - 5 years of contributions, their payment will be 50% of your gross earnings, up to a maximum of €300 per week. The minimum rate is €125 euro per week.
Since the inception of the scheme, a total of 14,096 claims have been awarded. 11,909 are currently awarded, 2,229 of which had 2 - 5 years of contributions, and 9,680 had 5 or more years of contributions. The average rate for those that had 2 - 5 years of contributions was €255, while those with 5 or more years of contributions had an average rate of €398.
The breakdown by county, based on the most recent administrative data held by my Department, of those that have been awarded since the beginning of the scheme is provided in the table below.
Table 1: Claims awarded, by county
|
County |
Claims Awarded |
|
Carlow |
170 |
|
Cavan |
172 |
|
Clare |
319 |
|
Cork |
1,346 |
|
Donegal |
253 |
|
Dublin |
4,902 |
|
Galway |
720 |
|
Kerry |
276 |
|
Kildare |
786 |
|
Kilkenny |
239 |
|
Laois |
234 |
|
Leitrim |
83 |
|
Limerick |
545 |
|
Longford |
141 |
|
Louth |
447 |
|
Mayo |
253 |
|
Meath |
708 |
|
Monaghan |
147 |
|
Offaly |
241 |
|
Roscommon |
123 |
|
Sligo |
154 |
|
Tipperary |
352 |
|
Waterford |
340 |
|
Westmeath |
270 |
|
Wexford |
366 |
|
Wicklow |
479 |
|
Unknown/Other |
30 |
|
Total |
14,096 |
177. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection the initiatives he is taking to support kinship carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33042/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFoster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them.A key role for my department is to provide income support to families with children in the State. Where a child is being cared for by someone other than their parents, the person looking after the child may apply for a guardian's payment.Guardian’s payment (contributory) and Guardian's payment (non-contributory), are respectively social insurance and social assistance (means tested) payments made to a person caring for a child who satisfies the definition of an “orphan” under social welfare legislation. A child is considered an orphan if they are under 18 (or 22 if in full time education) and both parents are deceased; or one parent is either dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child and the other parent is unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child. The purpose of the guardian's payment scheme is to provide income support in respect of those children whose parents are unable to provide for them, through death or other circumstances. Guardians Payment is currently paid in respect of 2,659 children at the weekly rate of €227 per child: the highest rate of weekly child income support paid by my Department.I was really happy to announce this week that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment. It is estimated that up to 2,300 children, for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid, will now qualify for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.Following a recommendation from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, to develop a policy on the rights of children in informal kinship care, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality have established a steering group for the Development of a National Policy on informal Kinship Care. The policy’s main objective is to uphold the rights of children who are in informal kinship care arrangements. Also under consideration is the access to supports, financial and otherwise, available for kinship carers and children in kinship care arrangements.My officials are currently participating in this group in the context of Guardian’s Payments administered by the Department.I look forward to meeting with Kinship Carers Ireland early next month.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
180. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of the fact that when custody is split between two separated or divorced co-parents there is no mechanism by which both co-parents may each receive half of the children’s allowance; the children’s allowance instead, when there is a mother and father co-parenting, goes to the mother regardless of circumstances; if he is aware of the financial hardship this can incur on fathers who co-parent equally; if he has any plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33103/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 19th birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability. It is paid in respect of almost 1.3 million children. As a universal payment, Child Benefit assists parents with the cost associated with raising children and contributes towards alleviating child poverty.
Child Benefit is paid to the person with whom the qualifying children normally resides and the payment is based on the rules of residency which state that, where a qualified child resides with his or her mother, the child is deemed to be resident with the mother and with no other person. In effect, the mother is the qualified person to receive the benefit in respect of that child. This applies even where the child’s father also resides in same household. Where the child resides with both parents, the payment can be transferred to the child’s father on request from the qualified person.
In cases where the parents have an equal custody arrangement, individual payments follow the rules of the scheme concerned. In the case of Child Benefit, the payment is awarded to the mother in equal custody arrangements as the mother is deemed to be the qualified person to receive this payment under social welfare legislation.
Legislation does not provide for splitting the payment between both parents. To do so would reduce its effectiveness in terms of poverty reduction. There are no plans at present to change the payment arrangements for Child Benefit.
