Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16 with their child care costs; and if the maximum support and advice with other schemes that are available will be given to them. [35077/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in decisions on individual claims.

There is no scope within the supplementary welfare allowance scheme for assistance in respect of routine child care costs, except in exceptional circumstances where it is considered necessary by a social worker or other health professional dealing with particular problems within a family.

The main form of state child care assistance is through the equal opportunities support programme operated by the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform. This programme, organised on a county basis, is specifically designed to assist low income or otherwise disadvantaged parents moving into the workforce. The person concerned should contact that Department for further information on services under this programme.

Working lone parents can earn up to €146.50 without it effecting their one-parent family payment. Half of earnings between €146.50 and €293 are assessed as means and a person can keep a portion of their payment up to that level. They may be eligible under the family income supplement scheme administered by my Department, which is payable at varying rates according to earnings and family size.