Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the negative effect the changes to the income disregards rules introduced by her in Budget 2012 is having on demand for special community employment; her views on whether the changes are acting as a disincentive to rehabilitation; and if she will reverse these cuts. [28042/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The income disregard for the one parent family payment scheme was reduced from €146.50 to €130.00 per week with effect from 1st January 2012. At the end of January 2012 the number of Community Employment (CE) places flagged as being occupied by those engaged in drug rehabilitation places (DRP) was 824, of whom 157 (19.05%) were categorised as lone parents. The number of CE places flagged as DRP as at 4th June 2012 is 817, of whom 162 (19.82%) are categorised as lone parents. This indicates a slightly increased uptake by lone parents of CE drug rehabilitation places in the period where the income disregard became effective. There are no plans to reverse the change to the current income disregard for one parent family payment.