Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 June 2017
282. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which her Department checks if a lone parent has actively sought maintenance from the other parent in order to remain eligible for their one parent family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30351/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA lone parent is required to make efforts to seek maintenance in respect of their child/ren from the other parent in order to be eligible and to remain eligible for the One Parent Family Payment (OFP).
Both the OFP application and the ongoing review processes for this scheme require customers to provide details of efforts to secure maintenance. Some claims may be referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) prior to a decision by a Deciding Officer, in order to establish if the conditions of entitlement to OFP, including maintenance, are satisfied. In some cases, the spouse/civil partner or other parent of the child/ren may also be visited by a SWI in order to review the maintenance arrangements.
If there is any change in the circumstances of an OFP recipient that may affect their payment, including maintenance, he/she is obliged to notify my Department immediately. If an OFP recipient does not make such efforts as are reasonably required by my Department to seek maintenance, s/he must explain why s/he is not doing so. Where an OFP recipient does not co-operate in making efforts to seek maintenance, when it would be feasible and reasonable to do so, s/he may be disqualified from receiving the OFP.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
