Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection is she will examine the case of a one-parent family payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26120/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of income supports for people who are parenting alone including the One Parent Family Payment.

One-Parent Family Payment (OPFP) is a payment for parents under age 66 who are not cohabiting, and whose youngest child is under 7. A person will usually cease receiving OPFP when their youngest child turns 7, at which point they can apply for a Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST).

The person concerned was awarded OPFP on 28/01/2016 and, as of 30/05/2024, was in receipt of a weekly rate of €254, made up of a personal rate of €232 and an increase for two children of €92 less means due to employment and child maintenance of €70.

Following a recent change in legislation, with effect from 06/06/2024, the child maintenance portion of any maintenance a person receives is no longer assessable as means. For this reason, the person’s claim has been reviewed and their rate of OPFP payable, from 06/06/2024, was increased to a weekly rate of €256.50. The decision was made in accordance with Section 8 of the Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024.

The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter dated 29/05/2024 and the first payment of €256.50 was paid into their nominated bank account on 06/06/2024.

Information on all schemes and payments administered by my Department can be found at www.gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.