Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
63. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the possible payment schemes available to older children or young adults that will enable them to stay in full time secondary education, who were never in care, but due to deaths or other circumstances do not have the financial support of parents, wider family or others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2858/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key role for my department is to provide income support to families with children in the State. Where a child whose parents are unable to provide for them, through death or other circumstances, the person looking after the child may apply for a guardian's payment.
Guardian’s payment (contributory) is a social insurance payment and Guardian’s payment (non-contributory) is social assistance (means tested) payment 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.
Subject to conditions, Guardian’s Payment may be paid directly to a child aged between 18 and 22, where that child is not normally residing with a guardian and is attending a course of full-time education.
In addition the Back to Education Allowance provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of qualifying payments who take full-time courses of education at Further or Higher level. The focus of the scheme is to assist people improve their qualifications and as a result improve their access to sustainable employment.
If a person’s income is insufficient to meet their needs, they can apply for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. This can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments. This can be done through a person’s local Community Welfare Service. There is also a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818 607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
Túsla, the Child and Family Agency, is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children, including offering care and protection for children in circumstances where their parents have not been able to, or are unlikely to, provide the care that a child needs. Tusla also has responsibility for ensuring that every child in the State attends school or otherwise receives an education, and for providing educational welfare services to support and monitor children’s attendance, participation and retention in education.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
