The payment of Child Benefit is based on the rules of residency which state that, where a qualified child resides with his or her mother, the child is deemed to be resident with the mother and with no other person. In effect, the mother is the qualified person to receive the benefit in respect of that child. This applies even where the child’s father also resides in same household. Where the child resides with both parents, the payment can be transferred to the child’s father on request from the qualified person.
Rules of residency are contained in Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007 (as amended), as provided for in the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005. If a child resides with, for example, their father rather than their mother for most of the time, the father may be entitled to receive Child Benefit for that child.
Child Benefit cannot be split between parents. That is in line with social welfare payments, as generally speaking, there is no provision for splitting payments. Child Benefit is a key pillar of the child income supports which are provided by my Department. It plays an important role in lifting households above the poverty line. Splitting the payment might reverse this positive effect.
I am satisfied that the current arrangements are adequate in respect of achieving the overall policy goals of the Child Benefit scheme. I have no plans to make any changes at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.