John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 7, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: “Report on One-Parent Family Payment changes

11. The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the One-Parent Family Payment changes. The report shall be conducted on the financial and social effects of the changes to the One-Parent Family Payment since 2015, taking account inter aliaof poverty rates among those in receipt of the payment and that the report shall be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection within six months of enactment of this Bill.”.

We are aware of the serious difficulties faced by lone parents. This section of society is far more susceptible to poverty. This is particularly true in the case of child poverty. Figures show that 22.1% of children in lone parent families are living in a permanent state of poverty. Before the Minister starts to give his definition of poverty, many organisations will stand over this statistic. These difficulties were compounded by the changes introduced by the Government. We are seeking a report on the social and financial impacts of the changes to the one-parent family payment to be completed within six months and presented to the committee. It is not a huge ask. We know the difficulties and have heard from organisations such as SPARK. The facts are there for anyone to see. Will the Minister recognise the difficulties experienced by lone parents and the poverty levels encountered by them? I urge him to support this amendment and report back to the committee within six months.