I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 378 together.
In cases where a One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is awarded, the Department seeks to trace the other parent (liable relative) in order to ascertain whether s/he is in a financial position to contribute towards the cost of the payment.
This follow-up activity takes place as soon as possible after the award of payment. However, certain categories of liable relative are not pursued due to personal circumstances, such as age or allegations of violence or because they have low incomes. The method of assessment of the liable relative's ability to pay is set out in regulations (SI 571 of 2006 and SI 142 of 2007) and the assessment is based on net income with certain allowances being deducted.
All liable relatives assessed with maintenance liability are contacted by the Department and are issued with a Determination Order setting out the amount of contribution assessed. In 2011, details in relation to 12,657 liable relatives were recorded and Determination Orders were issued in 1,856 (14.66%) of the cases examined.
As a result, 489 liable relatives commenced making payments/additional payments to the lone parent(s) in 2011. A further 25 liable relatives started paying the Department directly. The Department is following-up with the remainder of cases with a view to securing payment as quickly as possible.
It is estimated that this work resulted in savings of €3.8m in 2011.
According to the Department's records, approximately 31% of those in receipt of OFP are also in receipt of maintenance.
The issue of maintenance payments is first and foremost a private matter for the persons concerned or if they cannot resolve the problem, for the courts through family law provisions.