Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

66. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost in 2015 of not proceeding with the reduction of the income disregard under the one-parent family payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29775/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The one-parent family payment scheme income disregard was last reduced, from €110 per week to €90 per week, in January, 2014.

On foot of the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Act, 2014, the OFP scheme income disregard is being maintained at €90 per week. This benefitted approximately 28,000 working one-parent family payment recipients in 2015. The further reductions to the income disregard that were scheduled to occur in January, 2015, and in January, 2016, will not be taking place.

The cost of the retention of the one-parent family payment scheme income disregard at €90 per week will be €8 million in 2015 and €10 million per annum thereafter.