Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the impact the lone parents proposals will have on the limitation rule if enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23082/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the impact the lone parent proposals will have on the qualified adult allowance if enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/06]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide details of the wide package of reforms of State aid for lone parents that he is currently considering; when he hopes to have this package complete; if he expects same to be in place before the end of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22987/06]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to criticisms from the chief executive of the One Parent Exchange and Network in an article in a newspaper (details supplied) regarding his new proposals on supports for lone parents; if his attention has been further drawn to the concern that these new proposals will effectively penalise lone parents who work for a living; if he is taking action to address these concerns; if he has met with representatives of the One Parent Exchange and Network to discuss the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22988/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 88, 124 and 130 together.

The major discussion paper, "Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents" which I launched in March this year, addresses the social exclusion and risk of poverty faced by many such families and their children. The report puts forward proposals for reform of the income support system for all parents on a low income. The report proposes the expanded availability and range of education and training opportunities for lone parents, the extension of the National Employment Action Plan to focus on lone parents, focused provision of childcare, improved information services for lone parents and the introduction of a new Parental Allowance for low income families with young children.

The current one-parent family payment provides long term income support, until children are 18 or 22 if in full-time education, to those parenting alone, with no requirement to be available for or seeking employment. Such long term welfare dependency in respect of a person of working age is not considered to be in the best interests of the lone parent, their children or society in general. Numerous reports have indicated that employment is one of the most important routes out of poverty.

Under the proposed parental allowance, it is suggested that an element of conditionality be attached to receipt of the payment. Overall the report considers that payment of parental allowance should cease when the youngest child reaches the end of their 7th year. This being the case, formal activation would commence when the child was age 5. This would give the parent the opportunity and supports required to engage in education or training for three years, before payment of parental allowance would cease.

Activation, as referred to in the proposal, is 'positive' in nature; it encompasses interview/advice meetings, education and training and providing people with the skills to enable them to achieve financial independence and therefore, a better life for themselves and their children. While conditions are being suggested for receipt of payment, it is proposed that supports will be offered in a structured and systematic manner to the persons concerned. It is in this context that continuing payment would be made conditional on engagement.

I would also stress that the discussion paper acknowledges that the age to which the parental allowance should remain payable is a matter for decision by Government following the consultation process currently underway. I have listened carefully to the comments made by organisations representing lone parents at the recent consultation forum I hosted and have asked them to submit their views and concerns in writing. I will take all of these views into account to arrive at the best possible solution for all.

I have asked the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion to draw up an implementation plan to progress the non-income recommendations of the discussion paper, including those related to childcare, education, training and activation measures and work on this has already commenced in consultation with the Departments and agencies concerned. Issues including the impact of the proposals on the qualified adult allowance, the limitation rule and those lone parents who are already in work will be taken into account in the implementation of the proposals.

As a follow-up to the publication of the discussion paper, I hosted a National Consultative Forum on 27th April 2006. This Forum was attended by social partners, representatives of organisations dealing with lone parents and the unemployed, representatives of Government departments and State agencies who will be responsible for the implementation of the proposals in the discussion paper and members of the Oireachtas.

At the Forum, I heard the views of each organisation on the proposals including their comments on the proposed parental allowance and invited them to make a formal written submission setting out those views. I also met with representatives of the One Parent Exchange Network on 14 June to discuss the proposals. I have also briefed the Oireachtas Committee on Social Affairs and debated the issue in the Seanad.

I will listen closely to the views expressed and will give very serious consideration to them. As soon as I am convinced that we have reached conclusions that are fully workable and equitable, it will be my intention to bring forward proposals for legislation in the course of this year.