The Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 provides for significant reforms expected to benefit over 16,000 lone parents and help to reduce child poverty.

The change to the means-test means that many lone parents on reduced rates of payment will see their payment increase and those who may not have qualified at all up to this point may now be able to access this payment. It is estimated that this measure will cost approximately €10 million per year.

People do not need to take any action in order to benefit from this measure which may see their payment increase.

The Department is undertaking a significant project to identify and review those claims where a maintenance payment has already been assessed. The Department will contact those affected over the next few weeks to advise them of the review and any resulting changes to their payment.

There is no need for people to contact the Department to request a review of a claim as this will take place automatically.

Social protection minister Heather Humphreys said: “This legislation represents a landmark reform of the child maintenance system in Ireland.

“Under the reforms, child maintenance payments will be excluded from the social welfare means test for the first time.

“This is good news for lone parents. It is estimated that this measure will be of direct benefit to some 16,000 lone parents and will play a significant role in reducing child poverty.

“When I worked in the credit union, I saw for myself that some weeks, the child maintenance was paid, other weeks it was missed. And the person that suffers most in that situation is the child. And I don’t want to see that happen.

“So, this legislation will make a positive difference to so many families.”