Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1014.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if eligibility for guardianship payment can be reviewed, with a view to awarding payment in the case of a person (details supplied), given the vast amount of evidence available in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35648/24]

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.

It was decided on the 14th August 2024 that the person concerned was not entitled to a guardians payment in respect of the child. From the evidence available to the Deciding Officer, the care arrangements in place did not constitute parental abandonment on the part of the child's father. The person concerned has been afforded the opportunity to seek a review of the decision and send in any documentary evidence to support her claim. She has also been afforded the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Independent Chief Appeals Officer.

The guardians payment application is again being reviewed by a Deciding Officer. On completion of the review the person concerned will be notified of outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.