John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

281. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason seeking maintenance from the other parent is a condition for lone parents to continue to be eligible for the one parent family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30350/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is a condition of the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) that lone parents must make efforts to seek maintenance from the other parent. This requirement is laid down in Articles 125 and 126 of S.I. No. 142/2007 of Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007, as amended.

The ‘efforts to seek maintenance’ condition is regarded as being satisfied once appropriate efforts are made to seek maintenance even if this does not result in a maintenance arrangement. The condition is regarded as being satisfied once appropriate efforts are made including but not limited to evidence of a private maintenance arrangement, a court summons or evidence of court proceedings or evidence of a mediation process.

It is important to note that since 2001, OFP claimants are allowed to retain 50 per cent of any maintenance received without a reduction in their social welfare entitlements as an incentive to seek support. Vouched housing costs of up to €95.23 per week (rent or mortgage) may be offset against maintenance payments with half the balance of maintenance being assessed as means in establishing the rate of OFP due.

The Department was in the process of reviewing maintenance policy for lone parents however the Independent Review of the changes to the OFP scheme, currently underway, has taken priority.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

282. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way in which her Department checks if a lone parent has actively sought maintenance from the other parent in order to remain eligible for their one parent family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30351/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A lone parent is required to make efforts to seek maintenance in respect of their child/ren from the other parent in order to be eligible and to remain eligible for the One Parent Family Payment (OFP).

Both the OFP application and the ongoing review processes for this scheme require customers to provide details of efforts to secure maintenance. Some claims may be referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) prior to a decision by a Deciding Officer, in order to establish if the conditions of entitlement to OFP, including maintenance, are satisfied. In some cases, the spouse/civil partner or other parent of the child/ren may also be visited by a SWI in order to review the maintenance arrangements.

If there is any change in the circumstances of an OFP recipient that may affect their payment, including maintenance, he/she is obliged to notify my Department immediately. If an OFP recipient does not make such efforts as are reasonably required by my Department to seek maintenance, s/he must explain why s/he is not doing so. Where an OFP recipient does not co-operate in making efforts to seek maintenance, when it would be feasible and reasonable to do so, s/he may be disqualified from receiving the OFP.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.