Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 114, 134, 137, 144 and 155 together.

For people in working age households, the main route out of poverty is employment. Despite the great increases in employment participation in Ireland in recent years and in opportunities generally, the proportion of lone parents in employment is low compared with other developed countries. This was borne out by a recent report on reconciling work and family life which found that employment participation among lone parents in this country is among the lowest in the OECD. This is despite the large employment growth and increasing female participation in the workforce in recent years and the income disregards afforded to lone parents under the one-parent family payment, who take up employment.

The results of the EU survey on income and living conditions for 2003 indicates that more than 42% of adults and children living in lone parent households were in the "at risk of poverty" category. Lone parents are especially vulnerable as they must combine the roles of both care giver and main income provider. Many lone parents, especially those who become parents at an early age, are also disadvantaged by low levels of educational attainment. One of the key tasks in the ending child poverty initiative is to address obstacles to employment for many lone parents. The senior officials group on social inclusion has been mandated to examine this issue and report back to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion with specific proposals.

A steering group, comprising officials in the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance as well as the office for social inclusion in my Department, has been established to progress the work. Other relevant Departments and agencies are preparing material and briefing the group on the areas for which they have responsibility. The group meets on a fortnightly basis and will present its report to the full senior officials group on social inclusion by mid-year. Following any amendments, a report will be presented to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion before the end of July. Specific policy areas are being examined to assess how they impact on employment opportunities and family circumstances. These include income supports, employment, education, child care, support programmes and information.

A separate working group has been set up in the Department to review the income support arrangements for lone parents. This review will feed into the work of the steering group. Special account will be taken of the findings of a report which the National Economic and Social Council has been commissioned to prepare, under Sustaining Progress, on the possible merging of the child dependant allowance with the family income supplement. Other countries have had to address similar challenges in assisting lone parents achieve self-sufficiency and a better standard of living for themselves and their children through employment. The effectiveness of the measures taken and the outcomes have been analysed in the international OECD study in which Ireland has participated. The findings of this study are also being taken into account in the review of the provisions for lone parents.

It is my intention that the outcome of this process will be the introduction of more active and effective supports for lone parents which will help them achieve the necessary educational opportunities, employment, a better standard of living and a better future for themselves and their children. The effectiveness of the current income support arrangements, including the one-parent family payment scheme, in promoting and facilitating these objectives will be a key element of the review.

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