Siptu boss brands social welfare rules 'heartless'

New social welfare rules targeting lone parent payments and jobseeker’s allowance were today branded heartless and draconian.

Under the Social Welfare Bill 2010, lone parents applying for support for the first time will only receive payment until their child is aged 13, down from the current age of at least 18.

And separately, under the plans, those on the dole will be disqualified if they turn down a job offer.

Jack O’Connor, Siptu president, branded the proposals reprehensible.

“Nothing could highlight the sheer intellectual bankruptcy of this administration more than the heartless proposals contained in the new Social Welfare Bill”, Mr O’Connor said.

“They are reprehensible beyond belief, exhibiting the worst characteristics of the nineteenth century Poor Law regime, penalising the most vulnerable in our society.”

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the scheme was being brought in to reduce dependency.

“It’s about trying to provide opportunities for people who would otherwise find themselves locked into the welfare system, to give them an opportunity to see if they can take up other opportunities, training and hopefully jobs in due course,” he said.

Eamon O’Cuiv, Social Protection Minister, said that from April 2011 payments for new applicants for one-parent family support will be made until the youngest child reaches 13.

Currently payment provides long-term income support to a lone parent until their youngest child is 18 years, or 22 years old if in full-time education.

The minister said the vast majority of new customers are parents of new-born babies, so the scheme will not affect them until 2024.

For existing customers there will be a tapered six year phasing out period to allow them to access education and training.

For those currently receiving the payment the age 18 cut-off point will remain for 2011 and 2012. In 2013 it will be 17 years, in 2014, 16 years, in 2015, 15 years and in 2016, 13 years.

Couples who are recently bereaved and have children aged 13 years or older will continue to receive the payment for up to two years or until their child is 18 years old.

The Bill also provides for a specific disqualification for receipt of jobseeker’s allowance where the person refuses an offer of suitable employment.

Claimants who refuse to take part in training will also be hit with reduced support payments.

Mr O’Connor said the Government had dismissed proposals from the trade union movement for a jobs support strategy.

“Instead it has embarked on a policy which will leave our young people exposed to the most ruthless and unscrupulous exploitation,” he said.

“Their only alternative will be to emigrate, taking with them the skills and potential to rejuvenate our country in the medium term.”

Sinn Féin Vice President Mary Lou McDonald accused the Government of pushing families further into poverty, branding the Bill draconian.

“It is highly hypocritical of the Government to propose to cut social welfare rates for people refusing certain jobs or training courses when they are doing absolutely nothing to create jobs or training courses,” she said.