Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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103. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare payments that were suspended, cancelled or not awarded to lone parents due to failure to provide proof of efforts to seek maintenance for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. [5506/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In light of the complexities in these cases,  suspending, cancelling or not awarding lone parents applications for this reason referred to is rare at application stage in the Department.

However,my Department follows up with liable relatives for appropiate contributions towards the cost of the One Parent Family Payment . During 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021- 1,039, 1,474, 1,075, and 1,440 liable relative arrangements respectively were made whereby payments or additional payments were made to the lone parent recipient averaging €46, €46, €49 and €49 per week respectively.  In addition for each year 65, 95, 49, and 62 liable relatives began paying the Department an average of €60, €63, €75 and €59 per week.

The Department secured savings of €3.6, €4.98, €3.04 and €3.5 million as a result of this work over the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.

I trust this answers the Deputy's question but if he has a specific case my officials are will be happy to engage with the Deputy in this matter.