Written answers

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Code

9:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the developments in the area of child care since she proposed the upcoming lone parent's Bill, which will force single parents off welfare and into the workplace, leaving them in urgent need of affordable child care. [18571/08]

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she will abolish the cohabitation rule in respect of the one-parent family payment. [18624/08]

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department engaged in a process of consultation before proposing the upcoming lone parents Bill; and if so, the persons with whom it consulted. [18572/08]

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way she will proceed in respect of the proposals for supporting lone parents document; and the precise timescale proposed. [18616/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 108, 110 and 111 together.

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.

Under the proposals, the lone parenthood category of payment would no longer exist. Instead, a new payment would be made to all parents (living alone or with a partner), with young children, on low income.

Extensive consultation has been carried out at all stages in the development of the proposal. Submissions were invited from a range of organisations when the working group was first established within the Department of Social and Family Affairs to analyse the income support arrangements for lone parents and parents on low income. Thirty-nine organisations were contacted, including organisations participating in social partnership, lone parent organisations and other relevant organisations. Submissions were received from thirteen of these.

A consultative forum also took place with the then Minister for Social and Family Affairs following the publication of the Government Discussion Paper. Attendees included representatives from a range of lone parent organisations, other NGOs, relevant agencies and other government departments, as well as opposition spokespersons and members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs.

In May 2006 the then Minister participated in a debate on the discussion paper in the Seanad and he presented the proposals to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs. The consultation process has continued as the proposals are being developed in the Department with a number of meetings having taken place between officials and lone parent groups. Presentations on the proposals have been made at various fora around the country. The discussion at these meetings and events has assisted in the development of the proposals.

Any proposed new payment scheme can only be introduced when the necessary co-ordinated supports and services are put in place on the ground by other relevant Departments and Agencies. This is why the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion has been tasked with bringing forward a plan on the key issues of childcare, education, training and activation measures.

The non-income recommendations contained in the discussion paper were examined in two areas: Coolock and Kilkenny. These studies, which took place between November 2007 and February 2008, focused on identifying and resolving any practical and administrative issues that may arise in advance of the scheme being introduced. These studies allow for operational and logistical co-ordination between the relevant Departments and Agencies to be considered and facilitate the development of the policy and operational details of the new scheme and accompanying supports. The outcome of the process is currently being considered in the Department. This will inform the further development of the proposals which I hope to bring to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion in the coming months.

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