Michael McCarthy (Labour)

This goes to show the manner in which some people can attempt to block it out. The statistics are irrefutable.

If the Government does not accept the EU's official comparisons as outlined, will it at least accept the evidence provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and other charitable organisations? In the past year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spent more than €41 million giving direct help to more than 300,000 families let down by social support systems in this country, €7.5 million which was emergency support for families with no money, food or resources. Some €4.6 million was for food and €3.1 million was for fuel.

The society spent €1 million getting families reconnected to gas or electricity supplies and with fuel prices inevitably increasing, the society's pre-budget submission pleaded with the Government for a weekly fuel allowance of €24 for an extended period running from September to April. The amount went to €18 and an increase should always be welcomed, but we are dealing with an organisation at the coalface of poverty. It has provided evidence to suggest its experience in the many towns, villages and communities of what people are going through. It is justified in its pre-budget submission as the society knows the people who cannot afford basic fuel costs.

There are three groups I wish to refer to in particular, the first being lone parents. In this House at the start of the year, I stated the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, was to be applauded for hitting at the myth about lone parents perpetrated by people who know better. Senior academics and journalists used this category of people to unearth extremely conservative views which are not based on fact. Approximately two years ago, two such people in particular went after lone parents in a disgusting fashion. The entire issue spilled onto the pages of the broadsheets and onto radio programmes. Myths exist but we fail to connect facts and evidence.

I was appalled by a particular article in The Irish Times and conducted research on the matter. It referred to a figure which it wanted people to believe was a majority. In fact it was a minority. Earlier this year, the Minister told the House that 1.7% were in this category and he justifiably hit the myth on the head.

In 2002, Ireland had 154,000 lone-parent families, approximately one in six of all families. One in three births takes place outside of marriage, a high proportion of which are to one parent families. Approximately half of lone parents, a total of 80,000 people, receive the one-parent family payment. This payment was increased in the budget to €207 for one adult and one child. However, the weekly disposable income for one adult and one child to avoid poverty is €270. This means one-parent families will start the new year well below the poverty line.

One-parent families are now a significant feature of our social system. They deserve better than being left on the breadline with this year's increases. Their problems in caring for children and, as most of them would wish, finding suitable employment are made worse by Ireland's extremely high child care costs and the lack of free State child care as exists in most other countries.

The office of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, communicated with me on the discussion paper launched at the beginning of this year regarding the residency rule for one-parent families. This rule means the State discriminates against family units who want to reside together. The Department stated the Minister would consider allowing somebody who had formed a relationship to keep the one-parent family allowance if his or her partner moved in. This is an important measure.

I was in communication with the Department on this matter because somebody applied for a mortgage on the basis the rule was no longer in place and was asked to produce a statement of earnings. This individual was refused a mortgage because the measure to remove the rule is still at discussion phase and has not been introduced. The Leader of the House is also familiar with the case. The person is on the list for an affordable house. It may take a year or two but it is hoped this will solve the problem. It is important to state it is a good measure and I look forward to its implementation. We must promote the family living together as a unit and those in stable relationships seeking employment and getting on the property ladder.

We have approximately 150,000 carers in the country, one third of whom give more than 43 hours of unpaid time each week caring for elderly, frail or disabled relatives or friends. Approximately half of all carers have no paid employment and most of them find themselves being carers not out of choice but out of pure necessity. They do not choose the role, it is forced upon them by circumstances beyond their control. Strong evidence exists to suggest carers suffer from stress and poor health because of the circumstances under which they operate.

Approximately four years ago, the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs undertook a detailed study of carers and their problems. It reached the unanimous conclusion that all carers need help. The carer's allowance should no longer be means tested and should be made available to all carers. This country has far more means tested benefits than any other EU country. I believe the Minister will examine this and I sincerely hope we will see an end to it.

The Bill contains welcome measures and it is always good to see an increase in money. However, statistical evidence suggests poverty levels are unacceptably high and we must confront this face-on.