Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Guardian's Payment provides income support in respect of children whose parents are unable to provide for them, through death or other circumstances.

Guardians Payment is currently paid in respect of 2,163 children at the weekly rate of €203. As a result of the measures announced in Budget 2024, the rate of Guardians payment will increase by €12 to €215.00 per week, with effect from January 2024.

Based on the current rate of payment and numbers, an increase in the payment to €400 per week is estimated to cost in the region of €22.2m per annum.

The number of Guardians Payments for 2021 and 2022 are outlined in the table below:

Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) 2021 2022
Recipients 578 594
Qualified Children 760 758
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) 2021 2022
Recipients 1,177 1,192
Qualified Children 1,391 1,405

Information in relation to Guardian’s Payment is available on www.Gov.ie and www.citizeninformation.ie. The Department administers over 90 separate schemes and services which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.