Hanafin accused of goading lone parents

ASSUMPTIONS are being made now that a lone parent whose child has reached the age of 13 is in a position to find employment when four companies a day are going out of business in an economy on the verge of bankruptcy because of the banks’ bailout.

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.

I urge people to resist and call a halt to this assault on the social security system because, in the finial analysis, when ideology is masquerading as social concern we should all pay attention.

Catherine Hannon Kennedy

Bray

Co Wicklow