Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

189. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the terms that apply when full payment of one parent family payment can be awarded along with another social protection payment. [32534/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is a payment for men and women under 66 who are bringing children up without the support of a partner. To get this payment you must meet certain conditions and you must satisfy a means test.

OFP is payable in addition to the following social welfare payments:

- Child Benefit;

- Half-rate Adoptive Benefit;

- Half-rate Health and Safety Benefit;

- Half-rate Maternity Benefit;

- Half-rate Paternity Benefit; and

- Half-rate Carer’s Allowance.

Special provisions are in place for customers who are either in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance and/or Carer’s Allowance (half-rate). These customers can retain OFP until their youngest child is 16 years.

OFP is payable in conjunction with the Blind Pension, until the recipient’s youngest child is 16 years of age. The full rate for each payment, together with the qualified child increase in respect of both payments, is payable.

The Family Income Supplement (FIS) may be payable in addition to OFP. However, OFP is assessable as income in determining the family’s FIS entitlement.

OFP can also be paid concurrently with Guardian’s payment, but this payment is paid specifically in relation to the child and in these circumstances the OFP recipient is not entitled to an increase for a qualified child.