Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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396. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide information regarding lone parent's allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45969/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is a payment to support lone parents under 66 who are bringing children up without the support of a partner. The payment is means-tested and it is payable when the youngest child is under 7 years old.

At the end of August 2022, there were 42,123 people in receipt of OFP. The average duration of these claims was 56 months.

The Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a is a special arrangement under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme. It is a means-tested payment to support lone parents whose youngest child is is aged between 7 and 13 years old inclusive. It is a requirement for recipients of the payment to engage with the Department's Intreo service.

At the end of August 2022, there were 18,612 people in receipt of JST. The average claim duration of these recipients was 71 months.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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397. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide information regarding carer's allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45970/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer’s Allowance is a payment to people on low incomes who are caring full-time for a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness (including mental illness). The person being cared for must require full-time care and attention.

There are a number of factors that impinge on the length of time a person continues to receive Carer's Allowance. The continued entitlement to Carer's Allowance varies depending on both the circumstances of the carer and the nature of the illness or disability of the person receiving care. In addition, there are circumstances in which a person may reapply for Carer's Allowance, but the original claim date is retained on the system, therefore making durations appear longer than they might be in reality. As a result, I am advised that the average length of time a person claims Carer's Allowance is not readily available.