Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 5

Written Answers. - Child Support.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

15 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on whether the discrepancy between lone parent allowance and payments for the fostering of children is inconsistent; and her further views on whether such payments should be linked. [17892/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The one-parent family payment, OFP, was introduced in 1997 when it replaced a number of schemes for different categories of lone parent. These schemes included lone parent's allowance, deserted wife's benefit and allowance and the non-contributory widow and widower's pension for those with dependent children.

The scheme is based on the contingency of lone parenthood and the need for social welfare support for parents with children where a person has not secured adequate, or any, maintenance from the spouse or the other parent. The scheme also supports and encourages lone parents to consider employment as an alternative to long-term welfare dependency while at the same time supporting them to remain in the home if that is their wish.

It is generally accepted that the most effective route to long-term self-sufficiency for lone parents is through paid employment. Accordingly, provision is made under the scheme to encourage and facilitate lone parents in moving into the paid labour force so that they may avoid long-term welfare dependency. The main element of this policy is an earnings disregard of €146.50 per week. This disregard is designed to assist in overcoming the particular obstacles which lone parents may face in taking up employment and training opportunities, and to encourage them to return to employment, instead of remaining dependent on social welfare payments.

Foster care, on the other hand, is part of the child protection and welfare service and is the responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children. The foster care allowance is paid in respect of children who have been taken into the care of the health board under the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991, for their care and protection, and placed in foster care or relative care.

Foster care is the main form of alternative care for those children who cannot be looked after in their own homes. Under the regulations, a health board must assess the needs of a child placed in care and the suitability of the prospective foster or relative carers, and draw up a child care plan. The implementation of the child care plan places significant responsibilities and duties on foster carers, whether relatives or non-relatives. The foster care allowance is paid in recognition of these additional responsibilities and the additional costs of looking after foster children. The current rates of payment are €281.50 per week per child under the age of 12, and €308.50 per week per child aged 12 and over. I am satisfied that the social welfare arrangements in place for lone parents are appropriate and support general policy in this area which is to provide income support for lone parents while at the same time encouraging them to consider employment as a realistic alternative to long-term welfare dependency.