Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 417: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the members of the implementation activation group for the implementation of the Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6396/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government discussion paper, Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents, put forward proposals for 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 social assistance payment for low income families with young children.

Any proposed new payment can only be introduced when the necessary co-ordinated supports and services are put in place on the ground by other Departments and Agencies. A sub-group of the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion is currently working on an implementation plan to progress the non-income recommendations. Work on the development of this implementation plan is progressing. Issues including access to childcare support, education, training and activation measures continue to be discussed with the relevant Departments and Agencies. The sub-group is comprised of representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Finance, Social and Family Affairs, the Office of the Minister for Children and FÁS.

At the same time, an Implementation Working Group has been established in this Department to progress the issues involved in ending the one-parent family payment and introducing a new income support payment for lone parents and other parents on low income. This group is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department and is comprised of representatives, at Principal Officer level, from the relevant policy and operational divisions.