Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the projected saving in each of the next five years arising from his decision to restrict the one-parent family payment to parents where the youngest child is less than 13 years. [19346/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The current duration of the One-Parent Family Payment, whereby a lone parent can receive the One-Parent Family Payment until their child is 18 – or 22 if in full-time education – without any requirement for them to engage in employment, education or training, is not in the best interests of the recipient, their children or society.

My Department has undertaken a comprehensive review of the One-Parent Family Payment and developed proposals that are designed to: prevent long-term dependence on welfare and facilitate financial independence; recognise parental choice with regard to care of young children but with the expectation that parents will not remain outside of the labour force indefinitely; and include an expectation of participation in education, training and employment, with supports provided in this regard.

To meet these social policy objectives, I will be introducing changes to the One-Parent Family payment in the forthcoming Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2010. For new customers, from early 2011, it is proposed that the One-Parent Family Payment will be made until the youngest child in the lone parent family reaches age 13 years. For existing recipients of the payment there will be a phasing-out period to enable them to access education and training and to prepare them for their return to the labour market.

The estimated savings that will arise from the implementation of this provision will be mainly long-term and will amount to €1.1 million in 2011, €5.5 million in 2012, €12.5 million in 2013, €20.7 million in 2014 and €26.2 million in 2015.