Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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90. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the financial supports to grandparents that have direct responsibility for caring for their grandchildren as guardians. [33982/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Guardians Payment is made to a person caring for a child who satisfies the definition of an "orphan" under social welfare legislation. A child is considered an orphan if they are under age 18 (or up to age 22 if in full time education) and both parents are deceased; or one parent is either dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child and the other parent is unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child.

Child Benefit may also be payable to a person caring for a child where the child normally lives and is supported by them.

Guardian's Payment is not payable in respect of a child for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid.

Further information and an application forms for Guardians Payment can be downloaded directly from the government website at www.gov.ie/guardians

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.