Parenting Information

Education and Training Programmes In recent years there have been developments in Government funded courses designed to assist people who are unemployed back into the workforce. Your local Education and Training Board may have free courses available if you are not currently working. These include day courses, night courses, online training courses and blended learning courses. The […]

HEAR admissions scheme for students from disadvantaged backgrounds What is the HEAR scheme?  The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is an admissions scheme for students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.  You must be under 23 years of age on the 1st of January of the year the course starts. You may qualify as a parent who is […]

DARE admissions scheme for students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties What is the DARE scheme?  The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) supports students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties to access college, by allocating a number of third-level places to them on a reduced points basis.   You must be under 23 years of age […]

Financial Supports for Education SUSI Find Out More Other Funding Sources Find Out More

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is available to you if you are over 21 years old and have been receiving a social welfare payment for the last six months. Time spent on Jobseekers, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension can count towards the six months needed […]

Back to Education Allowance What is the Back to Education Allowance? The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a financial support allowance available to people receiving certain social welfare payments for specified periods of time.   Your choice of course must be full-time to be considered for the BTEA.   How do I qualify?  To avail of BTEA you […]

Further & Higher Education Supports Going back to education can be an exciting but daunting prospect as a lone parent as you will want to make sure you have the time, finances and supports to make it work for you and your family. Once you have identified the area of study that interests you then […]

Education One Family understand the experience of parenting alone and sharing parenting, and how challenging it can be to move back into education or find fulfilling employment. Returning to work or pursuing a course can be a daunting experience but it can also be a very positive one. Finding out what supports are available to […]

Education and Employment In this section you will find information about what supports are available to help you get back to education, work or self–employment. Education Employment

Extra supports for families in emergency accommodation Children under the age of 5 whose parents are homeless (or are moving from homelessness to permanent accommodation) can get free childcare for up to 25 hours a week. This includes 15 hours of free pre-school (ECCE) where children qualify, or school hours. It also includes a daily […]

City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) The City and County Childcare Committees (CCC’s) work together locally and nationally and offer a wide number of services. The CCC’s support the delivery of the National Childcare Programmes; Early Childhood care and Education Programme (ECCE) and the National Childcare Scheme. They offer guidance to parents and childcare service […]

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) provides two free years of early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age which can help prepare your child for starting primary school. Children are eligible for the ECCE programme if they have turned 2 years and 8 […]

National Childcare Scheme The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents to meet the costs of childcare. The scheme provides two types of childcare subsidy for children aged over 6 months and up to 15 years (children aged 15 do not qualify). These are;  A universal subsidy which is not means tested. The universal subsidy was extended […]

Choosing Childcare There are many different types of childcare providers which you can consider if you are parenting alone or sharing parenting. These include childminders, au pairs, creches or early years services, preschools and school-age services. Some parents also rely on family or friends to support them with childcare. The type of childcare you choose […]

When An Intimate Relationship Ends Relationships have such potential to bring joy and happiness into our lives. We learn how to love and care for others and, in turn, how to accept love and care from others. On the other hand, relationships may cause feelings of emotional pain, anger and hurt.   Coping with the initial separation During the early stages you may experience many conflicting feelings about the situation and […]

Update on changes to the assessment of Child Maintenance Payments Date for the removal of child maintenance from social welfare means-tests announced. The date for the removal of child maintenance payments from means-tested social welfare payments has been announced, see press release here. From 4th June 2024, child maintenance payments will be excluded from all […]

How much maintenance is paid? In Ireland, there are no guidelines about the amount of maintenance which should be paid. The law states that both parents are responsible for providing for their children until they are 18 years of age or until they are 23 if in full-time education.   Parents may be able to […]

How is maintenance decided and arranged? Where parents were not married, or where there is no separation or divorce, the court can decide on a maintenance order following an application to the court. One parent can apply to the court to order the other parent to pay maintenance for their child or children. In most cases, it […]

Maintenance is paid for dependent children. A dependent child for maintenance purposes is: In some circumstances maintenance may also be paid for an ex-spouse or former co-habitant.

You will find information below about changes to how child maintenance is assessed by the Department of Social Protection: Update on changes to the assessment of Child Maintenance Payments Maintenance Maintenance (sometimes called child maintenance or child support) is a regular payment by the parent with whom the child or children spend a lesser amount […]

Emergency Payments There are times when families struggle to meet the cost of living. Things can be even tougher when there is an unexpected cost of some sort such as a very large utility bill or a once-off item. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has a scheme called the Supplementary Welfare Scheme (SWA) which […]

Other Social Welfare Payments Carer’s Allowance In order to receive Carer’s Allowance, the person you are providing care for must be under the age of 16 and you must be in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance for them; or the person is over 16 and is incapacitated to an extent that they need full-time care and attention. […]

Tax Relief for Parents Single Person Child Carer Credit If you are parenting alone and paying tax you may be eligible for an additional tax credit. The credit is called the Single Person Child Carer Credit (SPCCC). The amount of the credit is currently €1,900 per year (2025). This will reduce the tax you pay.  If you […]

Secondary Benefits Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance This is a payment from the Department of Social Protection under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, aimed at supporting families with the cost of school uniforms and footwear. Fuel Allowance Fuel Allowance is an additional weekly social welfare payment for those in receipt of certain social […]