Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the phasing out of the one parent family payment in respect of (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17426/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am very conscious that the forthcoming changes to the one-parent family payment (OFP) scheme highlight the need for additional supports for lone parents that will be affected by these reforms. In particular, there will be a need for additional after-school child care provision so as to assist former OFP recipients to make their transition into employment or other activation supports. This new scheme will provide 6,000 subsidised after-school child care places for social welfare income support recipients who enter employment and have children of primary school age. Officials from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and the Department of Education and Skills have worked closely to finalise the scope and parameters of the scheme. This initiative will be rolled out on a nationwide basis during 2013 commencing with a pilot of 500 places in late April, 2013 across 7 Intreo and Social Welfare Local Offices.

The availability of these additional after-school child care places is a positive measure for lone parents and builds on my pledge to work to address the child care needs of lone parents in light of the reforms that are being carried out on the OFP scheme. In addition, I have postponed the commencement date of the reductions to the age of the youngest child for receipt of the OFP payment from January, 2013, to July, 2013.

I think I have always been clear that my policy objective is to incentivise people of working age to work and this includes lone parents. All of the evidence shows that work is the best route out of poverty for parents and children. Activation is therefore a critical policy tool which I have ensured underpins the approach of my Department. I do of course keep this and all policy matters relating to working age payments under review. The Deputy will be aware that the Social Welfare Bill has not yet been published or approved by Government so I am not in a position to comment further on its contents.