Section 4 an attack on lone parents
If enacted, this would mean that lone parents whose youngest child is over seven years would be ineligible for One Parent Family Payment (OFP) from 2014.
OFP recipients will then have to move to Jobseekers Allowance (JSA). As JSA is only paid on days not worked at all, this is not suitable for many lone parents who may work part time eg each morning when their children are at school.
Why TDs and senators should vote against this section of the Bill:
1. In the absence of vital support services such as childcare and training, this legislation will have a disastrous effect on many OFP families. It just won’t work. The supports must be in place before the age limit is reduced to seven.
2. There is a critical shortage of job opportunities right now.
3. One Parent Family Payment recipients will be compelled to be available for work when their youngest child reaches seven years, unlike other Social Welfare recipients with dependent children.
Margaret Dromey
Chief Executive Treoir
