Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1009. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of letters to liable relatives that were issued in 2021 with regard to child maintenance; the number of liable relatives that began contributing in 2021; the number of liable relatives that received a letter from her Department and who then commenced contributions for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19770/22]
View answerThe issue of family maintenance payments is first and foremost a private matter for the people concerned.
Social Welfare legislation provides that some or all of the cost of One-Parent Family (OFP) payments are recovered. In every case where OFP is awarded, the Department seeks to ascertain whether the other parent (liable relative) is in a financial position to contribute towards the cost of the OFP. Liable relatives are advised that they can meet their liability by making payments directly to the Department or to the OFP recipient.
The methods of assessment of the liable relative's ability to pay are specified in detail in regulations S.I. 571 of 2006 and S.I. 142 of 2007, as amended.
In 2021 c. 8,000 cases were examined of which:
- c. 1,000 were deemed to be paying the liability agreed by the Department;
- c. 3,200 were still determined to have a remaining liability to the Department;
- c. 3,800 cases were not in a position to contribute towards the cost of the OFP or have no liability due.
During 2021, c.1,500 Liable relatives began making payments to either the One-Parent Family payment recipient or directly to the Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
