Will proposed reforms deliver genuine progress for one-parent families?
National Network of Lone Parent Groups seeks Government assurance that proposals will address the continuing poverty of lone parents & children.
20th of March 2006
For immediate release
Commenting on the Government Discussion Paper: Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents published this morning, Frances Byrne, Director of OPEN (One Parent Exchange and Network), which represents 80 lone parent groups nationwide, noted the radical nature of the proposed changes: "While we would be pleased to see the end of the cohabitation rule, there are a number of proposed reforms that give rise to serious concerns." Ms. Byrne continued "The proposals on stimulating access to employment represent a major challenge to a number of Government Departments, and based on experience to date, we lack confidence that they will step up to the mark."
"As independent research has shown, current welfare-to-work provision pays little heed to the importance of the retention of rent and medical supports to low income families with children. As one-parent families experience the highest levels of poverty in Ireland, their needs must be taken into account by Minister Brennan & his cabinet colleagues in developing any firm actions arising from the Discussion Paper", continued Byrne.
OPEN also stresses that any developments must consider the diversity of the lone parent population, and must be capable of addressing varied needs. "The Paper itself recognises that there is no ‘typical’ lone parent. Therefore the Government will need to address the significant barriers created by the eligibility requirements for existing education, training and employment supports, and ensure the increased availability of public transport in rural areas.", Byrne added, " Failure to address these challenges would mean that the proposed changes could serve to increase the poverty risk for some of Ireland’s most vulnerable families, thus creating a potentially punitive and compulsory regime for a group in our society which already suffers high levels of social exclusion."
OPEN says that the Discussion Paper signals that the next step is to consult and devise an implementation plan for the proposed reforms. "This is a key opportunity to transform the current system of provision to support the reconciliation of work and family life and to recognize the daily realities for one-parent families," said Ms. Byrne. "Issues currently faced by lone parents include the lack of quality, affordable childcare, particularly for after-school and holiday periods and the fact that the highest quality training options aren’t offered on a flexible basis." A concrete example cited by OPEN are some FÁS-run courses which have a high record of achieving progression to quality employment would be offered on a flexible basis and wouldn’t begin as they do at present at 8.30am - making it impossible for those parenting alone to attend.
In examining other aspects of the Paper, OPEN welcomed the suspension of the 'limitation rule'* while children are young, but is concerned about the proposal to re-impose this discriminatory provision once the new Parenting Allowance is withdrawn . In current terms, this would mean the loss of €58 per week to some families. No clear policy rationale for this penny-pinching proposal is articulated, and it may create an age-related poverty trap for low income families – the Early Childcare Supplement is withdrawn when a child turns 6, and a further financial penalty would be imposed as the child passes age 7.
The proposals also recommend recognition of the choice of many primary carers to work less than full-time hours, particularly while their children are young. OPEN noted that changing the guidelines for the 'genuinely seeking work' condition to recognise working hours of 19hrs a week as a valid choice would be a welcome development. However, Ms. Byrne stressed that this would only be the beginning of the required changes: "Reforming and resourcing state services to provide an effective, empowering support system for lone parents presents a very considerable challenge for Government– but it is one that must be met. The costs of failure for society as a whole and one-parent families in particular, will be too high to bear".
Finally Frances Byrne stated that OPEN’s website www.oneparent.ie will later this week have a section for lone parents who are concerned about the Government Discussion Paper to seek clarification about, as well comment on, the proposed changes. OPEN will be developing a detailed analysis over the coming weeks which will also be available on the site.
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For further information please contact:
Niamh O’Carroll: 087 628 6171 / 01 8367971 Frances Byrne: 086 814 3297
* The 'limitation rule' limits a couples’ payment (where at least one partner is in receipt of an unemployment payment) to a maximum of one full adult rate, and a reduced rate for the 'adult dependent' – even where the second adult fulfils all the conditions for receipt of an unemployment payment.
This page was updated on 20th March, 2006