Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the allowances a grandparent who is minding their grandson full-time since January 2007 is entitled to claim to help towards the extra costs associated with same; if he will clarify what is considered as child abandonment, that is, if a mother is not in contact directly with their child; and if children allowance should continue to be paid to the mother in this context. [12293/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of schemes which may be available to a grandparent caring for a grandchild depending on the individual circumstances of the case. Under Social Welfare regulations Child Benefit is payable to the person with whom a qualified child normally resides. This is normally the child's mother.

However, where the mother has abandoned or deserted the child or has failed to contribute to the support of the child, the child is regarded as normally resident with the person who has care and charge of the child and Child Benefit is payable to that person. The grandparent in this case should submit a claim for Child Benefit and a decision will be made when all the relevant facts are established.

Guardian's Payment (Contributory) and Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) may also be payable where a parent has abandoned and has failed to provide for a child, and the other parent is unknown, or has also abandoned and failed to provide for the child, provided that the child is not normally residing with a parent, adoptive parent or step-parent.

Family Income Supplement is a weekly tax-free payment for families at work on low pay. If a grandparent is in receipt of child benefit for a child in their care and if they meet the qualifying conditions for the Family Income Supplement scheme they should submit an application for consideration.

If the grandparent to whom the question refers is in receipt of a social welfare payment, then a child dependent allowance may also be payable. If they wish to obtain further assistance in identifying any social welfare scheme that may be relevant to their particular circumstances, they should contact their Social Welfare Local Office. Information is also available from my Department's LoCall telephone enquiry line on 1890 66 22 44 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.