Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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250. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on a guardianship payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60891/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An application for Guardians payment has been received from the person concerned. In order to make a decision on the claim, the deciding officer must satisfy themselves that the child meets the legislative definition of an orphan under social welfare legislation. A child is considered an orphan if they are under 18 (or under 22 if in full time education) and both parents are deceased; or where one parent is dead and the other parent is unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child.

The file has been forwarded to the social welfare inspector and as soon as the deciding officer has all the facts and information required to make a decision, the person concerned will be notified of the decision in writing.

In the interim, should the person concerned be experiencing financial difficulty they are advised to contact the Community Welfare Service in their local Intreo Centre, which may be in a position to provide them with financial assistance.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.