Anger over Enda Kenny’s lone-parent allowance remarks

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has claimed controversial Government changes to the lone-parent allowance system next week will act as an “incentive” to “encourage” struggling families to find extra work – sparking a furious reaction from the opposition.

Mr Kenny made the remark during the latest leaders questions debate yesterday, in which he was accused of defending new rules which will force families into crisis poverty situations.

Under the current lone-parent allowance system, affected households whose child is under the age of 16 and are earning €425 or less a week are entitled to €188 in state support every seven days. The 16 years age limit was imposed last year after previously standing at 18, but is extended up to 22 if the child is in full-time education. From July 2, this system will be replaced with a scheme which will see the support cut off for anyone whose child is over seven.

While the changes have caused serious concern for 30,200 households currently receiving the help, the Department of Social Protection has insisted 20,000 will suffer no loss or gain money as they will transfer over to different State supports.

Of the remaining 10,200, a total of 6,000 will see no major changes as they will be able to access the family income supplement and back to work allowance if they increase their work hours from 15 to 19 hours a week.

However, 4,000 single parent families already working more than 19 hours a week will lose money.

During an angry exchange over the situation at Leaders Questions yesterday, Mr Kenny insisted Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is wrong to claim the issue shows Government is turning its back on those in need.

Instead, he said the changes will act as an “incentive” to “encourage” struggling families “locked” into a long-term “poverty trap” and State dependence to find extra work.

The Taoiseach’s response caused a furious reaction from Mr Martin, who said he should “put those notes to one side and go out and meet the people actually affected”.

During the same debate, Socialist TD Paul Murphy said images of Finance Minister Michael Noonan siding with Germany on the Greek debt negotiations shows Government is against debt writedowns for any country due to its own performance on the issue, saying Mr Noonan “stabbed the Greek people in the chest and at the same time stabbed the Irish people in the back”.

Mr Kenny said this is not true, and that all efforts are being made to help Greece repay its loans.