Written answers

Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Department of Social Protection

One-Parent Family Payments

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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41. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of lone parents who were financially worse-off and the number who were better-off after they transitioned from the one-parent family payment in 2013 and 2014; if this resulted in an increase or a decrease in the numbers involved in activation through employment or education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24838/15]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The reforms to the one-parent family payment (OFP) saw approximately 10,000 customers transitioning from OFP to a range of alternative income support payments on 4 July, 2013, and on 3 July, 2014.

However, it is not possible to give definitive figures on the number of customers who experienced a change in income on foot of transitioning from the OFP scheme as this depends on individual circumstances and the status of all affected customers may have changed in the interim.

Over 2,000 customers transferred from the OFP and Family Income Supplement (FIS) to a re-rated FIS, which was automatically increased to take account of the loss of 60% of their OFP income. It should also be noted that in July 2013 and in July 2014 almost 600 lone parents become new FIS recipients. These 600 individuals would have gained financially from claiming FIS for the first time.

Almost 6,000 lone parents transitioned to jobseeker’s scheme including the jobseeker’s transitional payment. The majority of customers who moved to a jobseeker’s payment received no change in their weekly income. However, individuals who were earning above €60 per week incurred a loss as the jobseeker’s means test is less generous than the equivalent OFP means test.

Lone parents who have transitioned to the jobseeker’s transitional payment are being supported by the Department to produce a personal development plan with the help of a case officer on a one to one basis. My Department will continue work with lone parents to provide them with enhanced access to the Department's supports and services.

There were over 400 lone parents would have been due to transition from OFP and half rate Carer’s Allowance to full rate Carer’s Allowance. As a result these individuals would have suffered a drop in their weekly income. However, earlier this year I introduced an extension to the entitlement of the OFP so that from May of this year these customers can re-apply for OFP and provided they satisfy the conditions they will be able to retain OFP and half rate carer’s allowance until their youngest child is 16 years of age.

The remaining lone parents transitioned from OFP to a wide range of other payments or to education, training or employment programmes.

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