Dáil debates
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage
For new recipients, from 2011, it is proposed that the one-parent family payment will be made until the youngest child reaches the age of 13. The majority of new recipients of the payment are parents of newborn babies; therefore, the changes in the payment from next year will not affect them until 2024, when their youngest children reach their 13th birthdays. For existing recipients there will be a tapered six-year phasing out period to enable them to access education and training and prepare them for their return to the labour market. Therefore, the cut-off point of 13 years will come into effect only for existing recipients six years from now, in 2016. For existing recipients, the cut-off point of 18 years will remain for 2011 and 2012. In 2013 it will be 17 years, in 2014, 16 years, in 2015, 15 years and in 2016, 13 years.
Sophia Danylenko
Posted on 17 Jun 2010 10:33 am (Report this comment)
So, when our children reach 13 we are going to be cut off from the vital support that keeps the roof over our heads and our childrens bellies as full as can be afforded. Does the Minister actually think that after 13 years of parenting at home a lone parent is going to walk into a job just like that. Graduates cant find jobs. Experienced redundant employees can't find jobs, how the hell is an lone parent, who hasn't worked for the last 13 years ever going to find a job within the time frame that they can work? I have been in this situation for the last 12 years and have 3 kids 19, 7 and 5. I work, but for the most part it is not worth working as the cost of child care exceeds what I am earning. Only for FIS and the one parent payment I would be on the dole instead. I can only imagine that the minister will convert the lost payment to FIS so that I will really not be under the poverty line. The next question is who is going to care for my children when they reach 13 as I wont be able to cos I'll be working full time to support them. What a delicate and vulnerable age to be throwing kids out onto the streets with no parental care or control( remember I am working full time now). They will be ripe for hazardous influences. Straight down a wrong way street. As far as I am concerned this has been a rash decision with no forethought to the long term consequences. Why dont you ask the Lone Parents how they will cope Mr Minister? You might get some good ideas...