Two significant weekly payments will terminate this year for hundreds of Irish families in a tough blow to their finances.

The two payments, adding up to more than €460 per week, almost €1,800 per month, are being "kept under review", that there are "no plans to make any changes to these arrangements" at present, according to Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary

The cessation of the One-Parent Family Payment and the Half-rate Carer's Allowance will affect some 380 individuals. This means those currently receiving the top rate for each benefit are poised to lose a whopping €467 weekly.

Those eligible for the One-Parent Family Payment, which is delivered at a maximum weekly bounty of €244, or the Half-rate Carer's Allowance, ranging up to €223.50 depending on one's circumstances, could see their support dry up as their youngest child hits 16 in the coming year.

Available to single parents juggling child-rearing alone, the One-Parent Family Payment aids both fathers and mothers, and they can avail themselves of the Single Person Child Carer Credit if they're working.

Meanwhile, the Carer's Allowance props up individuals who dedicate their time to caring for someone requiring assistance due to age, illness, or disability; the half-rate version dovetails with specific other social welfare entitlements.

However, the end of these payments has triggered worry among affected parties, with People Before Profit chief Richard Boyd-Barrett pressing the Minister for transparency on how families will cope without the aid of such financial support.

Calleary mentioned that "special provisions" have been incorporated into the legislation to extend entitlement once a child ages out of the One-Parent Family Payment, but only under certain conditions.

This applies when an individual is receiving the Domiciliary Care Allowance, which will continue when the youngest child turns 16, similar to the Half-rate Carer's Allowance, the Carer's Allowance and the Blind Pension.

Calleary further explained: "In the case of a recent bereavement, where a person had been living with their spouse, cohabitant or civil partner, One-Parent Family Payment is payable for two years from the date of the death or until the youngest child reaches age 18, whichever is earlier.

"As of the end of February, there were 10,220 people receiving both the One Parent Family Payment and Half Rate Carer's Allowance.

"Out of these, approximately 390 will stop receiving these payments in 2025, based on the age of the youngest child."

However, once the payment has ended, those who were previously receiving them are urged to apply for other social welfare payments as a replacement.

The minister also emphasised that it's crucial to remember that once an individual turns 16 and receives the Half Rate Carers Allowance or Domiciliary Care Allowance, they become eligible for the Disability Allowance.

As for the individual who was previously receiving the One-Parent Family Payment under this circumstance, they will be entitled to the Jobseeker's Allowance payment or full-rate Carers Allowance depending on circumstances.

He further stated: "The Department's schemes are kept under review but there are no plans to make any changes to these arrangements at present."

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