Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

No one would disagree with the Minister that lone parents should have the same opportunities as other parents. Also, I have been encouraging people who are experiencing problems in the area of rent supplement to go to the community welfare and social protection offices. However, as we know, one-parent families have suffered higher deprivation and poverty rates than the general population and now they are having to withstand a further cut. My concern relates to the detrimental effect of this on children. We know from the Ombudsman's report that back in 2008, some 6.8% of children were in consistent poverty. This year, that figure has risen to 11.7%, indicating an increase in childhood poverty. We have met the housing organisations and have heard the same statistics from them. Their great fear is that children may now join the numbers of rough sleepers.

The Minister is proceeding with the change to the structure of the payments. How well will that be monitored, and if the organisations' fears are realised, how quickly can the Department address that situation?

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