Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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499. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to expedite an application for a guardianship payment by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49077/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Guardians’ payments are made to a person caring for a child, where that child is defined as an “orphan” under social welfare legislation.

In deciding whether a child can be considered an “orphan” for the purpose of this payment, the Deciding Officer must, in cases where the child has one or both parents still living, be satisfied that the child has been abandoned and that their parent or parents have “failed to provide” for them.

The claim to a guardians payment of the person concerned is currently under consideration. When all enquiries are made and all the necessary information is available to the Deciding Officer, a decision will be made. The person concerned will be notified of outcome without delay.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.