Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There can be no doubt that in debating policy relating to children we are shaping and affecting the future. I am disappointed that the Government has indicated its opposition to tonight's motion, as it is a clear opportunity for a step change in the Government's outlook on providing for the most vulnerable in society. Much like the motion on home care that Sinn Féin brought to this Chamber in June, the value of providing adequate supports early on can lead to savings in the future if they are available to all those in need of them. People provided for at home incur less cost to the State and are more likely to remain out of hospital beds longer. More importantly, these patients and their families experience a much better quality of life.

The motion sets out how statutory provision for the payment of a considered and stable amount to lone parents can lead to far better outcomes for children and their parents. Children who are properly supported are far less likely to be in need of State intervention in the future. They are less likely to present with illnesses associated with poor nutrition or inadequate living conditions. Lone parent families were hit particularly hard in the austerity years of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour. While many sectors of society suffered during that period, some groups have not seen any measurable recovery at all. It is no surprise that lone parents remain among the groups yet to see any benefit from our supposed recovery. According to the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, which examines the adequacy of social welfare supports and reports annually, lone parents are one of three groups in deep income inadequacy right now. Latest figures from the survey on income and living conditions show that one-parent families are now five times as likely to live in consistent poverty than two-parent households. The same report also shows that lone parents have the lowest disposable income. Lone parents have the highest levels of deprivation and are most at risk of poverty of all households with children in the State.

We know that Government policy has worked to make life more difficult for lone parent families. A 2017 Indecon report concluded that the changes made by Fine Gael and Labour to the one parent family payment eligibility, reducing the cut-off age to seven years, led to increased deprivation. The reality of experiencing deprivation means not being able to turn the heating on, not being able to afford a warm coat or to provide a strong pair of shoes for children.

Research shows that, when paid, child maintenance plays a role in reducing poverty. It also shows that in the neighbouring island there was a 30% reduction in the poverty gap as a result of child maintenance payments. A child maintenance service will reduce poverty and, therefore, make growing up in Ireland a better, happier experience for so many children than it is today.

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