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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In line with the programme for Government commitment, the Government established a child maintenance review group to examine certain issues on child maintenance in Ireland. The group's terms of reference were to consider and make recommendations on 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 Members of the Oireachtas, NGOs and professional bodies. The group also examined the international position where there are a variety of different approaches taken to these matters.

The group's report was submitted to me in April. I am giving the report the careful consideration such an important and complex issue deserves. Given that it relates to issues beyond the scope of the social welfare system, I am also consulting Government colleagues. Once the report has been fully considered, I intend to bring it to Government before the end of this year, at which time a decision regarding a publication date will be made.

As lone parents continue to be a group at a high risk of poverty, I was pleased to provide a number of measures in budget 2023 that will be of benefit to them. Recipients of one-parent family payment and jobseeker's transitional payment will be among those who receive a double weekly-payment in October and a 100% Christmas bonus in December. Lone parents will also receive a double payment of child benefit in November. Approximately half the people who receive the €500 cost-of-living lump sum payment, which will be made to recipients of the working family payment in November, will be lone parents.

I have also provided a €40 increase in the weekly income thresholds for the working family payment from January. Lone parents will also benefit from the increase of €12 in the weekly rate of working-age payments in January. The rate for a qualified child will increase to €42 and €50 per week in respect of a qualified child aged under or over 12 years, respectively. These rates will have increased by €6 for under-12s and €10 for over-12s in the past three budgets.

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