Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In line with the programme for Government commitment, the Government established a child maintenance review group to examine certain issues in relation to child maintenance in Ireland. The group's terms of reference were to consider and make recommendations on the following: the current treatment of child maintenance payments in my Department; the current provisions regarding liable relatives managed by my Department; and the establishment of a child maintenance agency in Ireland. As part of its work, the group conducted a public consultation process. Submissions were received from members of the public, as well as from Members of the Oireachtas, non-governmental organisations and professional bodies. These valuable submissions were given detailed consideration during the group's deliberations. The group also examined the international position where there are a variety of different approaches taken to these matters.

I am pleased to advise that the group has completed its work and that its report was submitted to me on 22 April. I would like to thank the chair and the group members for their detailed consideration of these important issues. I am giving the report the careful consideration that such an important and complex issue deserves. Given that the report relates to a broad range of issues that are beyond the scope of the social welfare system, I am also consulting Government colleagues. Once the report has been fully considered, my intention is to bring it to Government, at which time a decision regarding the publication date will be made.

I am mindful that lone parents continue to be a group with a high risk of poverty. Budget 2022 included a number of measures of benefit to lone parents as follows. For example, personal rates of payment were increased by €5 per week. The rate of increase for a qualified child was increased by €2 to €40 per week in respect of a qualified child under age 12, and by €3 to €48 per week in respect of a qualified child aged 12 or over. There was a €10 weekly increase in the working family payment income limits and the level of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance was increased by €10 to €160 for each child aged four to 11, and to €285 for each child aged 12 and over.

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