Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the effects that the changes to the income disregards rules introduced in Budget 2012 are having on community childcare provision; and if she will reverse these changes. [28043/12]

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. All categories of participants on CE, including lone parents, have been gradually reducing over the last few years with the exception of the jobseeker's allowance category which has been increasing steadily since mid-2009 due to the changed demographics in the job-seeking population.

The income disregard change would have very little effect as the net reduction is only €8.25 per week on income earned outside of the one parent family payment.

There has been a reduction in lone parent numbers since December 2011 to date (4,650 at year-end 2011 to 3,785 on 4th June 2012).

There are no plans to reverse the change to the current income disregard for one parent family payment.