Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015
188. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if both parents of a child must apply for child benefit payments to receive them or any other form of social protection assistance related to the child; and if changes are planned to strengthen the duty of care of both parents to the welfare of the child. [40657/15]
View answerThere is no requirement for both parents to apply for child benefit or for any other child related payment.
According to Irish legislation the person with whom a child ordinarily resides is considered the qualified person to claim child benefit. Where a child is residing with both parents, the mother is the qualified person to claim child benefit. There are no plans to amend the current legislation.
