Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A Guardians payment is made to a person caring for a child who satisfies the definition of an “orphan” under social welfare legislation. A child is considered an orphan if they are under 18 (or 22 if in full time education) and both parents are deceased; or one parent is either dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child and the other parent is unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child.

Child Benefit is a monthly payment payable to a person caring for a child where the child normally lives and is supported by them. The child does not need to satisfy the definition of an orphan under social welfare legislation for this payment.

It is important to note that the two schemes - the Guardians payment and Child Benefit are fundamentally different. It would not be appropriate to provide automatic access from one to the other.

My Department will continue to keep the range of supports available under review. The Deputy will be aware that any proposed change would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.