Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 April 2017
74. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the way maintenance is calculated for lone parents; the detail of the policy of cutting the income of lone parents that are not receiving maintenance from the absent parent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17717/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not responsible for the calculation of maintenance payments between individuals. The arrangement of maintenance is a Family Law matter under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality.
It is important to clarify to the Deputy that there is no current policy to reduce payments to lone parents where they are not in receipt of maintenance from the absent parent. The one-parent family payment (OFP) and jobseeker’s transitional payment (JST) schemes require the claimant to make efforts to seek maintenance in order to qualify for their payment. This condition is satisfied once efforts are made to seek maintenance such as a consensual agreement, participation in structured mediation, court proceedings etc. The condition is considered satisfied in situations of domestic abuse.
In cases where a maintenance arrangement is in place but ceases to be paid the lone parent can present relevant evidence to his/her local Intreo Centre and request that his/her payment is reviewed. For court order maintenance cases the lone parent can apply for a discharge/variation summons or maintenance summons from the court clerk. Depending on the outcome and whether maintenance recommences this could involve an additional review of the payment by the Intreo Centre.
