Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the savings made each year by her Department through the follow up of maintenance payments and the percentage of parents in receipt of both maintenance and lone parent support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26846/12]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her proposals to assist one parent families in seeking maintenance payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26852/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 378 together.

In cases where a One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is awarded, the Department seeks to trace the other parent (liable relative) in order to ascertain whether s/he is in a financial position to contribute towards the cost of the payment.

This follow-up activity takes place as soon as possible after the award of payment. However, certain categories of liable relative are not pursued due to personal circumstances, such as age or allegations of violence or because they have low incomes. The method of assessment of the liable relative's ability to pay is set out in regulations (SI 571 of 2006 and SI 142 of 2007) and the assessment is based on net income with certain allowances being deducted.

All liable relatives assessed with maintenance liability are contacted by the Department and are issued with a Determination Order setting out the amount of contribution assessed. In 2011, details in relation to 12,657 liable relatives were recorded and Determination Orders were issued in 1,856 (14.66%) of the cases examined.

As a result, 489 liable relatives commenced making payments/additional payments to the lone parent(s) in 2011. A further 25 liable relatives started paying the Department directly. The Department is following-up with the remainder of cases with a view to securing payment as quickly as possible

It is estimated that this work resulted in savings of €3.8m in 2011.

According to the Department's records, approximately 31% of those in receipt of OFP are also in receipt of maintenance.

The issue of maintenance payments is first and foremost a private matter for the persons concerned or if they cannot resolve the problem, for the courts through family law provisions.

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of one-parent families in receipt of financial assistance from her Department; the number of these families who are in receipt of a maintenance payment from the second parent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26847/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The number of one-parent families that are in receipt of the one-parent family payment (OFP) stood at 89,905 on 2 June, 2012. The number of these one-parent families that are also in receipt of a maintenance payment from the second parent stood at 27,983 on 2 June, 2012 – representing some 31% of one-parent families.

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if same will be expedited. [26863/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question. In the interest of fairness and equity and unless there are exceptional circumstances, applications are dealt with in order of date of receipt in the department.

In the meantime, if a person's means are insufficient to meet his or her needs while awaiting a decision on a claim, he or she can apply for a means tested supplementary welfare allowance payment from their local community officer.

On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of her case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.