Social Studies and Family Resource Management
What this domain tests
This domain examines family structures and functions, social change, family law, social protection and poverty. Questions often ask you to distinguish legal concepts or to interpret a household’s situation using Irish social-policy definitions.
Core rules and concepts
- Families perform reproductive, economic, emotional, protective and socialising functions; structures include nuclear, one-parent, blended, extended and same-sex-parent families.
- Irish family law deals with guardianship, custody, access and maintenance. Divorce is governed by the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996, and the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 gives cohabitants limited rights under defined conditions.
- Social protection payments may be universal or means-tested. Child Benefit is universal, Jobseeker’s Allowance is means-tested, and Working Family Payment supports low-income families in employment.
- “At risk of poverty” means income below 60% of the median. “Consistent poverty” means being at risk of poverty and experiencing enforced deprivation of at least two basic items.
Worked example
A family’s income is below 60% of the median, but they can afford all basic items and report no deprivation. Are they in consistent poverty?
No. They meet the income test for being at risk of poverty, but consistent poverty requires both the income threshold and enforced deprivation. Deprivation must be enforced, meaning the family cannot afford the items rather than choosing not to have them. The correct conclusion is that the family is at risk of poverty but not in consistent poverty.
Traps that cost marks
Do not treat “at risk of poverty” and “consistent poverty” as synonyms. Do not assume cohabitants automatically have the same rights as married couples. Do not describe Child Benefit as means-tested or taxable.
Key points
- Family functions include economic, emotional, protective and socialising roles.
- Divorce is dealt with under the 1996 Act; cohabitant rights are limited.
- Child Benefit is universal; Jobseeker’s Allowance is means-tested.
- At-risk-of-poverty threshold is 60% of median income.
- Consistent poverty combines that threshold with enforced deprivation.