Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.

The Government discussion paper, Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents, put forward proposals for the introduction of a new social assistance payment for lone parents and other low income families with young children. It also proposed a range of additional services, including the expanded availability and range of education and training opportunities, the extension of the national employment action plan, focused provision of child care and improved information services.

Lone parents are not members of a homogenous group. They are of differing ages, education and employment backgrounds, have experienced different routes to becoming a lone parent and hence have differing needs. Many of these needs are common to all parents on a low income. Under the terms of the one-parent family payment a person must be parenting alone, therefore those who cohabit or marry no longer fit the contingency of lone parenthood and are not entitled to claim the payment. This results in a disincentive to one-parent family payment recipients to form or declare long-term relationships. The consequences for the child or children involved should also be considered.

Under the proposals, the one-parent family payment would be abolished and the contingency of lone parenthood would no longer exist. Instead, a new payment would be made to all parents on low income, living alone or with a partner, with young children. Cohabitation would, therefore, no longer be an impediment to payment. As I have recently reported to the House, the development of any new scheme to support low income parents can only be introduced when the necessary co-ordinated supports and services are put in place on the ground by other Departments and agencies.

As I stated, the non-income recommendations contained in the discussion paper are being tested in two areas, namely, Coolock and Kilkenny. These tests are focused on identifying and resolving any practical and administrative issues that may arise in advance of the scheme being introduced. They are scheduled to run until at least the end of February, with a report then being made to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion. The tests will allow for operational and logistical co-ordination between the relevant Departments and agencies to be considered and facilitate the development of the policy and operational details of the new scheme and accompanying supports.

Although the exact terms of the new payment have not been finalised, the key to any new payment is to ensure the necessary financial and other supports are in place to assist families towards improved employment prospects and disincentives to work are kept to a minimum. While there is no definite date for the nationwide roll-out of the new payment and related supports, following the evaluation of the tests, it is my intention to move forward with the proposals. As I have stated on a number of occasions, I aim to resolve these issues this year.

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