Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
812. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the criteria of the one parent family payment to include the entire duration of an undergraduate course in circumstances where a child is still in full time education beyond the age of 22 years such as undergraduate medicine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15341/24]
View answerThe One-Parent Family Payment is a means tested payment for lone parents, under 66, whose youngest child is under seven. The Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment is a means-tested payment for lone parents whose youngest child is aged between 7 and 14 years. The Jobseeker’s Allowance payment may be paid to lone parents where the youngest child is aged 14 or over, subject to the qualifying conditions.
In situations where a parent moves into the workforce, they may qualify for other income supports such as the Working Family Payment or the Back to Work Family Dividend.
Where a person is in receipt of a payment from my Department they may be eligible for an Increase for a Qualified Child which can be paid up to age 22 where the child remains in full time education.
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) offers funding to eligible students in approved full time courses at Post-Leaving Certificate, undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Ireland and in some cases, to students studying in the UK or EU. All types of students, from school leavers to mature students returning to education can apply for funding under that scheme.
There are no plans currently to extend payment of any child or family related social welfare payments beyond a child's 22nd birthday.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
