Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the establishment of a participation fund which could be paid to lone parents moving from social welfare payments to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32266/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department actively assists and encourages lone parents to return to work, training or further education through a range of measures including earnings disregards and back to work and education incentives.

For example, a single parent getting one parent family payment (OPFP) may have earnings from employment or self-employment of up to €146.50 per week and still receive the maximum rate of OPFP. If their earnings are between €146.50 and €400 per week they may continue to receive payment but at a reduced rate. Where weekly earnings exceed €400 they can continue to receive payment at 50% of the appropriate rate of OPFP payable to them for a period of 26 weeks subject to their satisfying all of the other conditions of the scheme and where, immediately prior to their earnings exceeding €400 per week, they have been in receipt of OPFP for a period of not less than 52 weeks. The back to work allowance scheme allows single parents to return to work and receive an allowance equivalent to their weekly rate of OPFP on tapered basis. For those engaging in self-employment, the weekly allowance is 100% in year 1 and 75%, 50% and 25% respectively over the following 3 years. In the case of employees, the allowance is payable at 75% in year 1, 50% in year 2 and 25% in year 3. Currently there are 1,305 lone parents availing of the back to work allowance scheme, 392 of whom are self-employed.

Lone parents may also avail of the back to education allowance programme which provides support to long-term social welfare recipients including lone parents who need to obtain educational qualifications before re-entering the labour market. Lone parents participating under the programme receive a standard weekly allowance equivalent to the rate of OPFP payable to them prior to participation.

The Department has received funding under The National Development Plan 2007-2013 to develop an active outcome-focused individual case management of all social welfare customers of working age including lone parents who are not progressing into employment or accessing training or education opportunities. The objective is to establish a rights with responsibilities concept in social welfare supports by moving from a passive approach to active case management on an individual basis.

The Government discussion paper "Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents" includes proposals or a range of services to assist lone parents with the transition to employment including the expanded availability and range of education and training opportunities, the extension of the NDP, the focused provision of childcare and improved information services. The development of these services is currently being addressed by the relevant Departments and Agencies in co-operation with the Seniors Officials Group on Social Inclusion.

The Department is committed to examining broader social policy reforms directed at the removal of existing obstacles to employment and educational opportunities for those most vulnerable in society. The measures outlined form part of this approach and provide positive support in assisting lone parents in the transition for welfare to work or education. In that regard, I not see any additional benefit in providing for the establishment of a participation fund as suggested by the Deputy.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the payment method for up to 15,000 carers who are entitled to another social welfare payment but may not be able to collect the two payments on the same day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32274/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 provided for new arrangements whereby people in receipt of certain social welfare payments, who are also providing full time care and attention, would, subject to meeting means criteria, be able to retain their main welfare payment and receive half rate Carer's Allowance.

The current range of payment options offered by my Department to customers includes payment to a bank or building society account, or at a local post office. Customers opt for a particular payment option having regard to their own circumstances.

My Department administers a variety of schemes which have weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual payment cycles. For operational and administrative reasons, and to facilitate the distribution of payments through the bank and Post Office networks, each scheme is assigned a day of the week for payment. In this way, payments through Post Offices are spread across the week thus avoiding overcrowding and allowing for better management of queries. In addition, customers can collect payments on the due date or on a day that suits their needs thereafter. Customers receiving two payments from the Department can collect both social welfare payments at a Post Office on the same day.