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We work at community level to ensure that one-parent families get the vital supports and services we need.
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We campaign at national level so that lone parents and our children can have a better life.
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OPEN is led by a Board made up of people parenting alone from various parts of Ireland.
You can read more about us here.
Latest News….
Calling all lone parents who need basic computer skills!!
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is providing FREE training in a community near you. You just need to have 6 hours to spare (over 4-6 dates). If you would like to enrol in a course, please contact Fiona Elward in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on 01-8897711 or email benefit3@ictu.ie and don’t forget to mention OPEN. See our FACEBOOK link for more information
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BUDGET 2012 – UPDATE FROM OPEN FOR LONE PARENTS ON COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT
OPEN is aware of conflicting information circulating about changes for lone parents who are on Community Employment (CE). We contacted the Department this morning (January 27) and they have now issued this note, which will also be part of a letter due to be sent out soon to all of those who are affected by this change:
In Budget 2012, a number of changes were made to the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP). One of the changes made is that increases for qualified children are no longer payable on the Community Employment (CE) scheme when a similar increase is being made on the One-Parent Family Payment scheme. In addition, the amount of earnings you are allowed to have without affecting your payment has been reduced from €146.50 to €130 per week. As a result of the Budget measure, your qualified child increase on the CE scheme will cease from 20th February 2012. Your new weekly rate of payment on Community Employment will be €208 per week. While your weekly rate of CE will be reduced, it is understood that your One-Parent Family payment will be recalculated, at the same time, to take account of your reduced CE earnings and the revised One-Parent Family earnings disregard of €130 per week. Your One-Parent Family Payment will increase to partially offset the reduction in your CE payment but, on an overall basis, your combined income from CE and OFP will be reduced. Letters to this effect will be issuing shortly from the Department of Social Protection.*******************************************
Changes to One-Parent-Allowance will create a nightmare scenario for lone parent families
For immediate release 5th of December 2011
Budget 2012 has directly targeted lone parents, Ireland’s most vulnerable families and will bring untold misery to many. The changes to the One-Parent Family Payment combined with the cumulative effect of other cuts, plus changes to Community Employment schemes are nothing short of a disaster for one parent families.” Said Frances Byrne, Director of OPEN.
Budget 2012 has introduced a number of measures that the government claim will reform the One-Parent Family Payment. This reform commenced in 2011 when the age limit of the youngest child for receipt of payment was reduced to 14 years. “Lone parents had braced themselves for further changes but nothing as dramatic as this change, which has been done with no consultation with lone parent organisations” Said Ms Byrne
Over the next three years the government is going to reduce the age to which payment is made to 12 in 2012, 10 in 2013 and 7 in 2014. “Saying that these changes now bring us more into line with that provided internationally, is flawed as combined with how difficult it is to find a job, the systems for childcare and after school provision are a long way from best practice internationally.
With the announcement of this dramatic alteration, changes to Community Welfare Schemes and the cuts in fuel allowance, it will be an extremely bleak Christmas for lone parents and our children.
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MONEYSENSE Guide for Lone Parents is now available. Get your free copy by contacting OPEN – enquiries@oneparent.ie or ask for it in any Ulster Bank branch. Developed by Ulster Bank in partnership with OPEN for the Republic of Ireland version & Gingerbread Northern Ireland, it is a handy guide which includes tips and information. click on MoneySenseGuide for more information.
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NOW RECRUITING!!!
(this course is now full, but if you would like your name on the waiting list contact 01 814 8860)
Are you a lone mother? Would you like to:
- explore your options for the future?
- learn more about yourself and build your self-confidence?
- improve your parenting and other practical skills?
- learn about social welfare entitlements and childcare supports?
- explore how to access further education and training?
- develop your career planning and job-seeking skills?
- Receive one-to-one career development mentoring
- Draw up a plan of action and get results?
- meet other lone parents, share information, and have fun?
If the answer is YES! Our exciting Shaping YOUR Future programme could be for you!
OPEN is currently seeking FETAC Level 4 (Minor Award) accreditation for this course
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Frances Byrne, lone parent and CEO of OPEN was invited to write a piece for the Maman Poulet Blog on the recent treatment of lone parents in the media in UK and Ireland, Read more HERE
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Visit from UN Expert on extreme poverty to OPEN
“Put people at the centre of policy measures,” says UN expert on extreme poverty” – Read the report on her recent visit to Ireland by Magdalena Sepúlveda, Independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty.
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Have you liked us on Facebook yet? You can get updates on our work and join in the discussions at we-are-OPEN
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Calling All Members and Supporters of OPEN We are involved in a number of campaigns to fight the proposed cuts to social welfare and to defend the wages of low paid workers. TAKE ACTION!
- Cutting vital public services, taxing low paid workers, cutting social welfare and capital investment are being presented as the only options to reduce the budget deficit. The Community Platform rejects this notion and is launching a campaign to present real alternatives in the form of progressive tax reform that will both address the budget deficit and stimulate economic recovery.
- Everyone’s Opportunity – Itsaboutyou – Campaign by ERA (Equality Rights Alliance) Share your view and support our campaign for better equality and human rights by logging onto itsaboutyou
- Stand up for Education: The education sector has already suffered significant cuts, particularly in recent budgets. These cuts have hurt students and their families. As a modern, civilised society we must, on behalf of our children. OPEN who supports Stand Up For Education demand that no further cuts are made.
- Join the Poor Can’t Pay Campaign at: www.thepoorcantpay.ie and follow the links to lobby your local TDs. Watch the Poor Cant Pay Campaign Video HERE
- The Irish Congress of Trade Union campaign aims to bring about change in how Government responds to the crisis we face. So far we have seem little evidence of any fresh thinking, no evidence that fairness and justice are at the heart of that response GET UP, STAND UP Campaign – Sign up Now!
