Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Social Protection with regard to persons in receipt of one-parent family payments and disability payments who are existing community employment scheme participants, if they could lose their benefit if they go for an extension of their place on the scheme or if they go on maternity leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40679/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Individuals, including recipients of One Parent Family and Disability payments, who are employed on a Community Employment scheme and commenced that Community Employment placement before the 16 January 2012, will not be considered as a new applicant in the event that they are renewing their contract or receiving a Community Employment extension.

They will therefore not be affected by the measure contained in Budget 2012 to stop concurrent entitlements for new applicants on Community Employment.

However, if a person is on a Community Employment Scheme and is in receipt of One Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance/Benefit or Widow(er)'s Pensions, they will no longer receive the payment of two qualified child increases while participating on the Community Employment scheme. This will take effect from January and will apply to both new and existing recipients.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Social Protection in respect of lone parents and the changes which are due with regard to the age limit of the child, the timeframe for these reforms to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40680/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There is no change to the payment of the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) for existing customers on 1 January, 2012. Phasing arrangements for existing OFP customers are being considered. For new claimants, from April, 2012, the upper age limit of the youngest child will be 12 years. This is being reduced on a phased basis – to age 10 in 2013 and then to age 7 in 2014.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who is in receipt of domiciliary care payment, which ended on 19 June 2011 upon their reaching the age of 16 years, would be entitled under the new rules to continue in that payment, until they are 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40685/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As a result of the decision to withdraw sections 8, 9 and 10 from the SW Bill 2011, the age limit for receipt of domiciliary care allowance (DCA) remains at 16 years. As the child referred to is over 16 years of age, DCA is no longer payable.