Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
468. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that payments to guardians have been delayed to all applicants looking after unaccompanied Ukrainian children who fled the war in Ukraine leaving their parents behind; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is providing ongoing support and services to assist people covered by the Temporary Protection Directive who are fleeing Ukraine and who arrive in Ireland, such as the provision of PPSNs and income supports.
Guardian’s payments are made to a person caring for a child who satisfies the definition of an “orphan” under social welfare legislation. A child is considered an orphan if they are under age 18 (or up to age 22 if in full time education) and both parents are deceased; or one parent is either dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child and the other parent is unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child.
All applications for Guardians payment in respect of a Ukrainian child will be examined by a Deciding Officer to determine whether the child satisfies the definition of an orphan. Where a parent has sent a child from Ukraine to Ireland and has entered into a private arrangement regarding the care of their child, such care arrangements are not considered to constitute parental abandonment. As such, the child cannot be deemed to satisfy the definition of an orphan and any application for Guardians payment would be refused.
Child Benefit may be payable to a person caring for a child aged under 16 years where the child normally lives and is supported by them. The rate of payment is €140 a month for each child. Child Benefit can also be paid for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have additional needs and cannot support themselves.
In addition, a person in receipt of a Social Welfare payment, can apply for an increase for qualified child by contacting the relevant scheme area.
Unaccompanied children under 18 years who are seeking temporary protection from the war in Ukraine should refer to the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) for relevant supports, which falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister Roderic O'Gorman at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
A decision letter will be issued to each applicant as soon as the claim has been examined. Where an application is refused my officials will advise customers to engage with Túsla. If the person is not satisfied with the Deciding Officer's decision they can appeal it to the independent Chief Appeals Officer, D'Olier House, D'Olier St, Dublin 2.
I trust the above clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
