Hanafin accused of goading lone parents
Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin is goading those in receipt of a lone parent payment when she argues they have an attachment to “the book” which, she claims, “militates against that lone parent having a stable relationship or marrying, or taking a job”. This belies the reality of being a lone parent trying to survive on less than 30% of the average wage. The question that arises is whether remaining unmarried and single is a valid reason to be denied social security when a child reaches 13 if one has no other means of support or has been forced from employment because of poverty traps?
This economic argument masquerading as social policy – especially when the issue of poverty traps has not been addressed and the live register is running at 400,000-plus – is a sham, a right-wing attempt fundamentally to dismantle the welfare state in Ireland by manipulating the marital status of lone parents.