Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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325. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available to parents who have a baby via surrogacy. [34079/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a number of payments for families with children.  While such payments aren't specifically targeted at families that welcome a child through surrogacy, such families may be able to avail of these payments. 

Child Benefit is available to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years.  The payment continues to be paid in respect of children who are in full-time education, or who have a disability, until their 18th birthday. 

Families on low incomes may be able to avail of Increases for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments; the Working Family Payment; or the Back to Work Family Dividend.  The One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transition Payment are means tested payments available to those parenting alone who have the main care and charge of at least one qualified child.  

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.