Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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232. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason two persons (details supplied) are not receiving the full amount of jobseeker's allowance, given they are currently homeless, unable to source accommodation via the HAP scheme due to the chronic shortage of properties and are being supported with emergency bed and breakfast vouchers by the local authority. [26792/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Age-related rates for jobseeker's allowance recipients were introduced on a phased basis from 2009 to tackle high youth unemployment and to avoid long-term welfare dependency. Where a jobseeker aged 18-24 participates in approved full-time education or training, they will receive the maximum rate of payment.

Age-related jobseeker’s allowance rates also do not apply to those with qualifying child dependents, or those who were in care of the HSE, Child and Family Agency (Tusla) during the 12 months immediately before they turned 18.

A jobseeker aged between 18 and 24 is entitled to an exemption from the reduced rates if they are living independently of the family home and are in receipt of state housing supports. They must be in receipt of either rent supplement, housing assistance payment (HAP), rental accommodation scheme (RAS), local authority housing or living permanently in accommodation provided by an approved housing body to qualify for and exemption from the reduced rates. The individuals referenced are not currently in receipt of any of the supports outlined above.

The Community Welfare Service supports young people in these circumstances and provides support under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Supports can include additional needs payments, depending on the individual circumstances involved.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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233. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of the one-parent family payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26794/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Person concerned submitted an application for One Parent Family on the 27th of March 2023. A decision to disallow the application was made on the 5th of May 2023. The reasons for disallowance were as follows :

The person concerned does not satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition which is a requirement for the award of One Parent Family Payment.

One-Parent Family Payment is not paid to a qualified parent where one fails to show that their means are below the maximum rate of €354.00. Requests to provide certain details in relation to means were not provided.

It has also been confirmed that they continue to be in receipt of social welfare assistance from the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK in the form of Universal Credit, Carer's Allowance and Child Benefit. A person cannot be eligible for social welfare while they are in receipt of social welfare from the UK.

The Person Concerned was advised that they had 21 days from the date of the disallowance letter to appeal the decision, as yet no appeal has been received.