John Connolly
Ceist:84. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is reviewing his Departments supports for one parent families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46037/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 June 2026
Ceisteanna (84)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department of Social Protection provides two primary social assistance based income supports for lone parents, the One-Parent Family Payment and the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment.
• One-Parent Family Payment is a payment for lone parents, under 66, whose youngest child is under seven.
• Jobseeker's Transitional Payment is a provision under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme that is available to lone parents (both former One-Parent Family Payment recipients and new lone parents), under 66, whose youngest child is aged 7 to 13 years inclusive.
In addition, a Child Support Payment (previously known as an Increase for a Qualified Child) is payable for each child where a person is in receipt of the above.
The Department also provides in-work income supports through:
• The Working Family Payment, a tax free in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. Some two thirds of households in receipt of Working Family Payment are lone parent households. The Working Family Payment may be paid concurrently with One-Parent Family Payment.
• The Back to Work Family Dividend, a financial support for people who move off the One-Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (or a jobseeker’s payment in certain circumstances) into employment. This scheme is payable for two years. In year one, the rate of payment is 100% of the person's previous Child Support Payment for each child (subject to a maximum payable rate equivalent to four children), In year two, 50% of this sum is paid.
The Working Family Payment and Back to Work Family Dividend can be paid concurrently.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to enhance supports for lone parents. Budget 2026 included a range of measures that benefit lone parents, including:
• A €10 increase to both the weekly One Parent Family and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment.
• The largest Child Support Payment increase in the history of the state: a weekly increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 and over and a weekly increase of €8 to €58 for children under 12.
• Extension of the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, to children aged 2 and 3.
• Extension of the Fuel Allowance to families receiving the Working Family Payment.
• A €60 increase to the weekly income thresholds for the Working Family Payment, for all family sizes.
Officials in my Department continuously review social welfare schemes and I look forward to hearing from representative groups at my Department's pre-Budget forum next month on what changes they wish to see with these payments.